(by Margot Grant)
Caren Cameron (59) has a permanent job position as a special education assistant at Kinnikinnick Elementary School in Sechelt. She is well educated and has worked all her life. When she turns 65, her monthly income will be $1,450. With the average rent for a one-bedroom now more than $1,100 on the Coast, and rents continuously going up, she anticipates being homeless when she reaches retirement age.
She went to college for four years and makes $30,000 per year. The pay per hour is good, she says. It’s just that she does not have that many hours. “I’m one paycheck away from homelessness.”
Cameron came to the Coast in 2010 when she could no longer afford Vancouver rents. She got a job at School District 46 and rented a two-bedroom condo for $900, including gas.
She left because she wanted a garden to grow her own vegetables and moved to a one-bedroom basement suite with a big back yard in Sechelt for $750 a month, including the Internet.
“I lived there for two years and completely redid the back yard,” she says. “He was a lucky landlord.”
Trouble started when the landlord’s daughter moved upstairs. She wanted the downstairs suite for her sister and made life impossible for Cameron. After weeks of loud noise during the night, banging on the floors, shouting and harassment, Cameron did leave.
She moved to a huge one-bedroom basement suite with a big garden at a farm on Mason Road in Sechelt. The rent was $800 a month including the Internet. “It was fabulous,” says Cameron. “I did so much work in that garden. I could have stayed there forever.”
But after a year, the landlord said he did not want to rent out the suite anymore. She was given an eviction notice with compensation for one month’s rent. She had two months to find another place.
She rented a 550-square-foot cottage in Roberts Creek for $800 a month. Nothing is included. There is no Internet or TV. She has to heat electrically which costs a fortune because of insufficient insulation. There is no garden.
The rental is probably illegal; the landlord has told her she cannot receive mail at this address. Cameron has no money for a postal box and went without mail reception.
It ended up costing her dearly. The Medical Services Plan sent her monthly bills for $40 which she never received. Last June, she got a notice that MSP would take $900 from her paycheck. She had to go to the welfare office to pay the rent for July.
Despite the challenges, Cameron considers herself really lucky she found a place for $800 a month. It’s all she can afford, she says.
She has a van she bought with a little money her father left her but she has no money to replace the tires. She spends a lot of time in coffeeshops because of the wifi. Internet at the cottage would cost $80 a month, which she does not have, and Telus wants a $300 deposit. “I don’t even have money for lottery tickets,” she laughs.
A month after Cameron left the suite on Mason Road, she saw it advertised on Airbnb. “Come and stay with us for $800 per two weeks,” the ad read. Cameron had been paying $800 a month. She filed a complaint with the Residential Tenancy Branch and although it took six months, she won. The landlord had to pay her the equivalent of two months rent.
Cameron is worried she may lose this cottage, too. “The landlord could sell the property next week or decide to start an Airbnb. You never know.”
To satisfy her love of gardening, Cameron has a community garden plot in Sechelt. It’s a bit of a pain to drive back and forth but she is happy to have it.
She tells about a lady in her sixties with a beige van who has another plot and lives in her van because she can’t afford the rents on the Coast. Cameron suspects several other women at the gardens do not have a home either.
One of Cameron’s friends was so tired of living in somebody’s garage for $600 a month without bathroom or insulation that he moved to a Third World country. Several other friends are thinking about it.
Cameron has thought about moving to Powell River where rents may be a bit lower, but she has realized she can’t. “I have a permanent position at the school. If I leave the district I lose my seniority, my benefits, and I can no longer pay into my pension. I’m stuck here.”
“Why do discussions about affordable housing not include renters?”
What is wrong with society? she asks. “I am well educated and I have always worked. But since 1993, I have only been able to get temporary contracts. Just at that moment when you start to qualify for a permanent position there are always people with more seniority somehow.”
When you work on a temporary contract, you can’t pay into a pension plan.
Life did not use to be like this. “My Dad had a grade 9 education and did odd jobs. But in 1951, he was able to buy a house in Vancouver for $3,000. My Mom did not need to work. One neighbour was a gas station mechanic and another worked in an ice cream factory. None of the moms worked. Everyone had kids, and we had everything we needed.
“That house my Dad bought sold seven years ago for $1 million. It wasn’t ours anymore and we did not benefit.
“My daughter is a teacher and her husband is an investment banker; they live downtown in a condo on Howe Street. Their friends are all moving away because they can’t afford Vancouver.
“In West Vancouver, the teachers live in Surrey, two hours away. There are no school-related activities in the evening anymore.
“All people in their twenties still live with their parents. Our communities are getting screwed.”
Cameron lived in a housing co-op in Vancouver for 20 years. She moved out when it started to need a lot of repairs. There was a leaky condo problem and she could not afford to stay. “But it was awesome. There is a real sense of community in a co-op. And you have security of tenure: it is almost impossible to get evicted.
“The government only frees up land for developers. Nobody builds apartments anymore. Condos are more profitable and easier for the developer: you build them, sell them and walk away.
“We need alternatives. Why aren’t we allowed to live in yurts? People have lived in yurts for thousands of years. Why are trailer parks disappearing? Why is it almost impossible to park a trailer anywhere? Why are there no communities of tiny homes? Why do discussions about affordable housing not include renters?
“There is lots of Crown land. The government needs to make some of it available to non-profits to build housing co-ops.”
Cameron has started the group Affordable Housing on Facebook.
This is everywhere in Canada. Thank goodness this lady is healthy. Try being an unhealthy 50+. There are certain stipulations that prevent you from getting federal health benefits. You see if you get sick and leave your long-term job, and then when you are well take a new job that’s conducive to your new health restrictions, you lose all those years you worked because in order to qualify for federal health benefits you have to have worked 7 years without job breaks. The heart attack I had and collapsed lungs had me off work for almost a year. I took on a different job and collapsed a lung. When I applied for a health pension I was told the year I took off disqualified the 7 year span necessary to qualify. Only one province in Canada gives enough money to live on disability. Most are under $600 a month. Who can live on that when renting a room in someone’s house is $500 a month average?
Regular welfare for a single employable in B.C. is $600 a month. Disability is about $900, but it takes a while to get onto Disability. Of course $900 is not enough either! Most rents are more than that. The other outrage is that any Canada Pension Plan disability benefits are deducted from provincial Disability as “unearned income”. Of course it isn’t “unearned income”–people contributed while working. If people with disabilities were allowed to keep both the provincial and federal benefits this would make a huge difference to many!
The BC NDP in 1994 initiated the concept that Canada Pension Plan disability benefits will be deducted from provincial Disability as “unearned income” which by right people contributed while working. In other words, you earned your contributions. Since the BC Liberals came into governance in 2001, this policy has not changed even though they initially introduced a $500 a month exemption on “earned income” which was increased to $800 a month. When you are a PWD, it is absolutely impossible to challenge this in a court, and in 23 years no one has. WHY?
Neglected to mention, you are forced to apply for the CPP under threat of withholding your monthly benefits, no rent paid, no food, no hydro or phone paid. When you apply for early CPP, you get a lot less money. In other words the BC government screws you twice over, and as in my case, the privatisation of the medical records to an American company, resulted in the loss of my medical records which hinders actually bars me from making application for Disability CPP. So, you can agree with me, I have been 3 times screwed. I truly have been blessed, no effort has been spared.
Yah and our federal government thinks giving billions to other countries for nefarious projects is even ethical!!! My CPP raise was 1.06 %
What is the one province in Canada where you can live on disability? If you are talking about provincial disability.
If you’re Canadian, 60+ and you pay more than 30% of your gross income towards rent, you’re probably eligible for a sizable subsidy through SAFER (Shelter Aid For Elderly Renters) from BC Housing. In two years, when I turn 60, their online calculator indicates SAFER will pay almost half of my $700 rent.
https://www.bchousing.org/housing-assistance/rental-assistance-financial-aid-for-home-modifications/shelter-aid-for-elderly-renters
SAFER helps some people–but it is falling short because rents are rising so high so quickly–many seniors can no longer to live places they’ve rented for years because even with SAFER they can’t afford the increase. $700 is already very low rent in this market.
There are many government subsidy programs however the governments both federal and provincial seem to do the utmost they can to keep all of them well kept secrets
a band-aide on a gaping wound
Just a question: are there any housing co-ops in her area? Friends of mine have been fortunate to qualify for housing in a co-op both here in Montreal and out west. I hope she finds a solution.
Can’t find her Facebook Affordable Housing?
It is called “Affordable Housing and Farming Sunshine Coast BC”
The problem is a result of the long held belief, starting when our parents were able to purchase a home based on a single income, that all would be able to afford a home and raise a family with just a stable job and a reasonable downpayment as the requirement. Government did very little to be concerned about rental stock supply, given there were property developers interested in the long term safety and ongoing “reasonable” income stream building and managing rental properties. That all changed when housing became a commodity, and those with enough equity to not only have their own home, but build and flip for profit, or become landlords themselves. For a long time the industry was self regulated and only issues around unfair increases and dispute resolution were the focus of any government involvement. But we are at a crisis point, not just for real estate affordability by home buyers, but even to a greater degree rental stock availability and fair practices in that part of the market. Look at any city and you’ll find the majority of rental offerings in Craigslist are by individual property owners, who have little to any knowledge about their responsibilities as landlords and are just motivated by profit. City and provincial governance has abdicated any real responsibility to the people who work in the cities, pay taxes, support local businesses with their dwindling discretionary spending, and rely on affordable and reliable housing. When these elected officials pay lip service to affordable housing, they are referring to the needs of the chronically homeless, not the shrinking middle class who are barely able to stay ahead of that status on a month-to-month basis. If the leveraged home “owner” [mortgaged, so ownership is not a given] is a pay cheque or two away from defaulting, how precarious is our economic situation overall? The 1% increase in interest rates that has been hinted at by economists will devastate the landscape of this province beyond anything seen before. Provinces and cities have to reassess their understanding of what makes a city liveable, consider options other than “laneway” homes that sell for over half a million dollars, encourage [legislate?] developers to replenish rental stocks and ensure private landlords follow their legal obligations. And lastly, we should all remember what a generation or two ago was considered as a middle class home. It was not 3,000+ square feet of stainless steel clad appliances, quartz counters, 3+ jacuzzi-appointed bathrooms and 2 car garages to raise a family of 4. What it was was good enough for me, and having a parent to come home to at the end of the school day made me appreciate what the term “value” meant as it applied to what really counted.
Here in the US many singles rent a room in someone’s house (with kitchen, bathroom and laundry privileges) Not as nice as your own apt but may be an alternative. They pay about 1/2 or 1/3 of the rent of a 1 bedroom. Of course, you have to deal with a roommate which is a hit and miss situation
If you are determined to stay for the job and its ‘benefits’ you are screwed. In fact you’d do better by leaving even though BC is highly desirable by comparison to some other places. (I used to live in Halfmoon Bay).
Alternatives: marry someone who already has a home &/or better income (like me 🙂 )
Buy the 2 bedroom trailer 4 doors away for $4500 on a half acre (I’m in S0H 4K0) and then work as substitute teacher… you’d make more and could survive.
Find a different occupation that will ensure you a better income, something in keeping with your interests and skills.
Move out of the South! We have wonderful lives on the North Coast and it is still affordable. Kitimat, Terrace, Prince Rupert … great communities.
I have to wonder what you class as affordable in the North Doug? Rupert, Terrace and Kitimat are all currently in a rent crisis especially with the reno-victions happening for the last 5 years or more. Rents in Rupert and Terrace are out of line for those on low income especially. Many are resorting to living in “closets” in homes rented to a tenant for sometimes $600+ monthly which incl. nothing. I live in a bachelor suite, last tenant paid $900 monthly (nothing incl.), they were evicted, the suite was painted and rent increased to $1100. This is the norm here now and it’s frightening for those in the majority living paycheck to paycheck. Life is rough in the north for many reasons.
As an old hippie from the 60s, let me suggest that you find some other women similarly placed (like those in your community garden), and try to find a place you can afford if you all split it. A 3 bedroom place is expensive, but split by 3 it is likely less than 3 1-bedroom places. It takes a bit of accommodation to live with others, but the security of knowing you can meet the bills takes a lot of stress off. I’ve lived on the streets, in my car, in communes and in some really lovely apartments, depending on my fortunes of the moment. I don’t recommend it if you can find a way to share space and expenses with someone else on terms you can accept. Best of luck!
I live in Nanaimo in our house i made a like a inlaw suit it has small appliances a fridge internet cable heat with a shared bathroom and w/d but has its own entrance it is a private room ,I cant find a decent person to rent it so far so we are still looking it has a big deck large yard and garden space ,Along term tenant would be nice rent is 600 a month, madkev2@telus.net or 668 3176 or 250 6169566
I have similar resources for retirement. I’ve moved to Mexico. Caren may be able to afford to get residency here. I think it is a good solution for older single women. My current rent is $350, but it is temporary and so a bit expensive. I am looking for a 2 bedroom with room for a garden and expect to find something for $250 to $300. This is not cheap my local standards. Food is good and inexpensive, as are utilities. Local transport is convenient, but I walk most everywhere. For some it is difficult to adjust to a new culture and language, but it is a marvelous culture, and I am no longer anxious about finances. You talk about moving to the third world as if it is a great sacrifice. Living in the north and tolerating the increasingly impoverished conditions is the sacrifice.
Wow. I am looking at retiring, as well. I am lucky and have a house, but it is not sustainable. Not because of it itself, but because of the municipal taxes which makes us all slaves forever. I would love to purchase a property in common with others, so we could pool our resources, have small homes (everyone needs their privacy), and maybe a communal garden? I am so distressed about this, having worked for 40 years for nothing. A home should never be a commodity.
Renters? Low income workers, etc… the list is long. Why are there so many regulations these days? Do people who have the ability to make regulations, that is people with government jobs, steady incomes, benefits like dental and a pension fund even have a clue what it is like to live here ? I don’t think so, no matter how well intentioned they are.
As for ‘other people’ who are renting out their basements and dog houses, perhaps just maybe many of them are in the similar position, needing an income boost so they can afford their government increased hydro, ICBC and BC Medical costs, and land taxes getting higher and higher as the repercussions of being a resort and retirement community for overpaid oil field workers and others cashing in and moving out here.
It seems that if you actually live here and work here you probably not going to be able to survive here in the end as external forces continue to force us out as they move in.
This problem is in all cites and larger towns, especially if you want to live in ” tourist areas” I have worked since I was 14, I am now 60. Lost my career of 30 end of last Dec. My CPP is $583.00 per month. I don’t think I am an exception, but what is happening all over Canada. If a person starts to look in certain areas of the province, there are many places that are affordable to live. Many interior small communities have empty houses, trailer parks, or places that you can park for reasonable rates. Sometimes it takes a mind shift. I agree that there is a desperate need for affordable housing in Canada !
Multi-generationals are being driven out (exterminated) by a myriad of different legislative and covert methods and it’s intentional. This is because our natural hereditary government with its natural instincts to protect the governed no longer exists. In its place is an international government disguised as local government that gets its directives not from the governed but from an international body that’s shaping the globe according to its own designs. While we were sleeping BC was annexed to Asia.
It’s disheartening to see what has happened but we/they did it to themselves. People voted for the parties that promised the most to get more “free stuff” and are still doing it today. So the governments pissed money away for ever more things and had to raise taxes to pay for it. When taxes go up, anyone who can command a raise get them, and that means the cost of their services go up. It becomes a vicious circle – people vote in governments that promise the most, taxes go up to pay for it and salary’s go up to sustaining workers. And at the same time, a lot of people vote against things that pay for benefits like Health Care, Pensions and Educational subsidies. I see lots of people who say they’re hurting, but they’re still going to vote for the NDP and protest against pipelines that have been working fine for decades. So they’re doing it to themselves. The only real tragedy is those who get taken down with them.
Doug… You’re telling all these people here that they are just a bunch of freeloaders who want more free stuff so it’s their fault? It doesn’t matter what party they vote for…. the party system was created for the purpose of giving the illusion of choice. The taxes, fees, insurance and everything else is going up not to give them more free stuff but to drive the multi-generationals into poverty and then drive them out or under…. which ever comes first. The same international interests control all parties and they control virtually all the media too. That’s why they never keep their election promises and do exactly the same thing as their predecessor… every four years moving forward through a process of gradualism the same destructive agenda of the international interests they serve. Things are only going to get worse for multi-generationals and the sad thing is they really won’t know why because no one is going to tell them why.
Doug… You’re telling all these hard working people here that they are just a bunch of freeloaders who want more free stuff so it’s their fault? It doesn’t matter what party they vote for…. the party system was created for the purpose of giving the illusion of choice. The taxes, fees, insurance and everything else is going up not to give them more free stuff but to drive the multi-generationals into poverty and then drive them out or under…. which ever comes first. The same international interests control all parties and they control virtually all the media too. That’s why they never keep their election promises and do exactly the same thing as their predecessor… every four years moving forward through a process of gradualism the same destructive agenda of the international interests they serve. Things are only going to get worse for multi-generationals and the sad thing is they really won’t know why because no one is going to tell them why.
Not much rental housing nor affordable rental housing has been built since the federal government subsidized it being built in the 1960s and 1970s, when about 20,000 units a year were being built. Policy shifted to support home ownership, and first time homeowners are heavily subsidized in comparison, as are primary homeowners (re: comparative provincial property tax rates). The federal government stepped back from their responsibility for using citizens’ own money to create a balanced fair society where all could afford to live starting in the late 1980s /early 1990s, and BC followed in 2001. The rise in homelessness is in direct converse proportion to the withdrawal of senior governments’ withdrawal of housing programs. It is a problem that IS solvable, but it will take government resolve.
Listen to this interview:
http://www.cbc.ca/radio/popup/audio/listen.html?autoPlay=true&clipIds=&mediaIds=954226243516&contentarea=radio&subsection1=radio1&subsection2=currentaffairs&subsection3=the_sunday_edition&contenttype=audio&title=2017/05/28/1.4132896-why-canada-needs-a-new-national-housing-policy-%E2%80%94-now!&contentid=1.4132896
I grew up in Vancouver and when our mother became a single mom we were forced to sell and move to another province as she could not maintain the home on her own and school fees and health care were simply too expensive. I wonder if people would be better off moving to a more affordable province.