from Mark Lisac's Insight into Government
Volume 23 Number 6 (week ending Sept. 26, 2008)

Posted with permission.

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A new report from the Edmonton Social Planning Council confi rms recent Statscan numbers on rising rents. It also adds other insights to the city’s rental market, which presumably resembles the market in much of Alberta.

The council surveyed 727 renters from April 16 to May 31. Not surprisingly, 82% reported a rent increase in 2007. The average increase was about 30% (very much in line with Statscan numbers). And 38% said they had felt at risk of losing their home over the past year.

More surprisingly, people living in the lowest-priced accommodations were hit hardest: renters paying less than $500 a month at the start of 2007 reported an average 60% increase, while those paying $1,000 or more reported an average 18% increase.

People coped mostly by finding more work and by borrowing from friends and family. Only 10% used rent
subsidies or social housing.

About two-thirds of renters felt their buildings were not adequately maintained, and half felt their buildings
weren’t safe.

Their suggested remedies started with some form of control on rents (including tying rents to income), and more housing. The construction option came with a variety of alternatives, including funding of co-ops, conversion of old institutional buildings and incentives for developers.

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