Housing is a common topic that finds its way into nearly every conversation I’ve had lately. The housing issues right now are affecting people of all walks of life, breaking past stigmas and changing the narrative that we can collectively see this as a community issue.
I know a young couple starting out who have been searching for an affordable apartment and are not having any luck. I have friends who have recently moved back to Canada and are looking to purchase a house but struggle because offers are flying in so quickly. Realtors are asking them to bid on homes they haven’t even seen.
I’ve heard from several employers who are having trouble hiring candidates because of housing costs and the lack of availability.
When I came to Victoria 20 years ago, I stayed in hostels downtown. I remember walking through neighbourhoods in Victoria and wondering what I needed to do to eventually live in one of those homes. At the time, I didn’t even have a driver’s licence.
This year, I turned 40, and 20-year-old Charla would have assumed I’d own a home by now.
On my daily travels, I drive past a lot of homes under construction, rental apartments and houses and everything in-between. Seeing the significant amount of construction and knowing that homes can’t be built fast enough really puts the housing crisis in perspective.
We live in a beautiful place with phenomenal weather, and this is just one reason why Greater Victoria is such a desirable place to live. I grew up in Alberta, and my first winter here blew my mind. It didn’t snow and there were flowers in December. I had no idea that I could be in Canada without a snowy, freezing cold winter.
Apartments were inexpensive, but finding a job felt impossible. I applied for every job I could. Even landing an entry-level position was fiercely competitive. I would go to a youth employment centre every day, and the staff were so friendly. I was impressed that they knew everyone’s names. One day, I realized it wasn’t a good thing that staff knew everyone’s name who visited the centre. It meant that the same people came every day, and no one was getting work.
At one point, I bought a rake and went door-to-door raking leaves by donation. I figured that if I asked for a donation, people would probably offer me more money than I would have asked for. Some people offered very generous donations.
A staff member at the youth employment centre gave me a bus ticket and their address so I could go rake their yard. When employment centre staff hire you out of pity, that’s when you know it’s a tough market.
Eventually, I left Victoria and spent a winter in Banff, working at a hotel, because I couldn’t land a job here.
Now employers can’t find enough employees and fast-food restaurants are offering $17 an hour.
After my few months in Banff, I came back to the Island, and never had trouble finding work again.
I am not an economist, but I have hope that we can look back to this housing crisis and say: “Oh, I remember that.”
