Housing crisis hitting both renters and homeowners

By John Miner

Both renters and homeowners are being hurt by high housing costs in Huron and Perth counties with some cutting spending on essentials and others working second jobs to keep afloat, a survey has found.

Conducted by United Way Perth-Huron from January to April 2024, results for the survey were presented to South Huron council by Will Wellington, manager of social research and planning with the United Way.

The survey of 716 Huron and Perth respondents included 41 from South Huron. Most were middle-to-low income workers with children.

Wellington said 31 per cent of those surveyed reported increasing or unaffordable mortgage payments, while 21 per cent highlighted unaffordability of the rental market.

One South Huron resident quoted in the report said they lived in an overpriced two-bedroom apartment.

“I need a three-bedroom but can’t afford what I have. Living month to month is scary and there’s nothing cheaper out there.”

Another South Huron respondent said they were stuck in their current housing because of the cost.

“I want to move out with my kids, away from my abusive partner, but the housing cost and everything else is way too much to afford. So we just put up with it.”

People are cutting both extras and essentials to afford housing, according to the survey.

Essential spending cuts, reported by 58 per cent of respondents, were primarily on food. Non-essential cuts were mainly on recreation.

A West Perth resident reported their children sometimes stay home from school because they don’t have lunch stuff for them.

“We’re going without any kind of entertainment, sports or activities for the kids.”

One-fifth of the respondents said they were trying to adapt to the situation by trying to earn more.

“I’m not eating so there’s food for my children, I’m working more hours, and I got a second job just to keep afloat. I’m literally spreading so thin. I can’t keep doing it,” a South Huron respondent is quoted in the report.

Some reported that they were forced to move in with their parents. While some expressed thankfulness for the option, none were enthusiastic, the report said.

“As a single mother, I was forced to move in with my dad. I couldn’t afford the cost of rent plus utilities and other bills even though I worked a full-time job making $25 an hour,” a Bluewater resident is quoted in the report.

Both the private sector and public officials were blamed by respondents for the situation, Wellington said.

“Local governments like big investors to come from cities, scoop up a few acres and sell a postage stamp for city prices, because they can collect tax and waste it on a statue of a white squirrel or a crosswalk,” said a survey respondent from South Huron.

Developers were described by some as greedy.

One South Huron respondent said they were unable to qualify for a mortgage due to high interest rates and stress-test rules, yet rentals cost as much or more than a mortgage.

As part of the report, the United Way Perth Huron is recommending that community housing stock be expanded.

“We call on individuals, organizations and especially governments to set ambitious regional targets for new community housing and make serious investment to achieve them.”