By Emily Stonehouse

I am going to say something that I doubt will win me many friends: I think we need to slow down on housing.

Whoa whoa, keep reading. I promise I will explain this.

To begin, I adamantly, wholly believe that housing is a human right. That every individual – regardless of background or financial status – is deserving of a roof over their head. Full stop.

But that said, as someone who has waded many waters in this community, I think the term “housing” has become a bit of a buzz word.

Something that often bugged organizations and committees I’ve been a part of in the past, was my dedication to using proper language. We say we need housing, sure, but there are countless homes on the market that haven’t moved for months, even years.

A number of dorm units in the newly-built college residence are sitting empty. Landlords are advertising in newspapers and online, unable to find suitable candidates to rent their spaces to.

The housing seems to exist.

Okay, so let’s whittle it down. Maybe we don’t need housing, maybe we need affordable housing.

And what does affordable look like? According to the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, “affordable” housing is identified as living accommodations that cost less than 30 per cent of a household’s gross (before-tax) income.

So the issue doesn’t really seem to be around the housing after all.

The real problem lies within the challenges of affordability.

Our costs of living are through the roof. That’s no secret. We’re not bringing in the same income we once did. Groceries, gas, childcare, taxes, they’re all increasing.

And of course, a little inflation is expected, but with the West Wing becoming the Wild West, the future of financial stability is on the rocks.

We also have to look to our own provincial leaders.

While Ontario has the second highest minimum wage in Canada, coming in at $17.60/hour, it doesn’t come close to the required $22.20 living wage, which is the bare minimum locals need to survive.

I’m not saying we need to kibosh the efforts made for housing. But I am saying that we need to take a look at the big picture. I do believe that the brick and mortar buildings exist in our community, so when we hear the buzz word of housing, housing, housing, and watch as these walls are built, I don’t believe it’s necessarily addressing the problem as a whole.

The housing exists. We just need to unpack the layers around affordability.

And there are many, many layers.

Maybe it’s time to take away the buzz and focus on the words. In an election year, don’t just ask interested individuals whether they prioritize housing, ask them exactly how they plan on making it attainable for those in need.

Because it’s not just about the buzz of the buildings. It’s about laying the groundwork for a sustainable model that will benefit the greater community.

That’s something worth buzzing about.