Rents declines are not nearly sufficient enough to make housing genuinely affordable

By  Thomas Riddell

January 13th, 2025

BURLINGTON, ON

I am writing to address the recent discussion on rental rates in our city. While there have been reports that rents are declining slightly, this decline is not nearly sufficient to make housing genuinely affordable for those of us on fixed incomes such as ODSP or Ontario Works.

Encampments like this are found in many locations in Hamilton.

As someone who has been fortunate enough to live in subsidized housing since 2003, I have seen firsthand how challenging it is for others who do not have the same support. Many are still forced to seek shelter in tents outside the city or relocate to places like Hamilton, only to face similar affordability challenges there.

In short, while the headline may say rents are dropping, the reality is that they have not dropped enough to make a meaningful difference for those on limited incomes. I urge the community and policymakers to recognize that a minor dip does not solve the larger crisis of affordable housing.

Thank you for considering this perspective.