"It's Time to Step Up": Recommendations to Address Rental Housing Issues in Edmonton

In June 2007 the Edmonton Social Planning Council (ESPC) made 13 recommendations to address the crisis in rental housing in the report A Roof Over their Heads. These recommendations were based on what we heard at two renters’ listening forums held the previous month. The results of our Edmonton Renters’ Survey, presented in the report Not Just a Roof Over our Heads, show that renters’ situations have not improved over the past year despite the recent stabilization of the rental market. Many renters continue to have difficulties affording shelter and their other basic needs, and the persistent lack of affordable alternatives gives renters little control to change their situation. Low and modest income households are facing the greatest difficulties; wage increases have not kept pace with rent increases, leaving families less able to maintain a decent standard of living and putting them at greater risk of financial crisis (including the loss of their housing) in the event of unforeseen expenses. The survey results also highlight major concerns with housing maintenance and safety.

Publication Date: 
2008