'Rents have just gone sky high': Cardigan candidates, voters weigh in on housing crisis

Peggy James has struggled to find a place to live ever since she went through a divorce and had to sell her home in January. The 76-year-oldcouldn't find an affordable apartment in the Montague area.

"I've always lived in the country here on the Island," said James, who wanted to stay in the area."I was very worried."

James said she was hoping to find a place where she could be on her own, but any available apartments were too expensive.

"It's nothing that a senior can really afford the rents have just gone sky high," she said.

She also had to give up her dog,as she couldn'tfind a dog-friendly spot.

"I had him 10years, and it was one of the most difficult things I had to do was to part with him," she said.

James eventually found a place, but had to move to Charlottetownwhere she rents a room in a home with a sharedkitchen and living space.

She said there are a lotof people in her situation.

"I would like to see a policy for senior citizens that they would have a decent income and a decent place to live," she said.

Supply low, price high

Staff at the Montague food bank hearabout the struggles people are facing. Many end up at the food bank because they have to spend too much on rentsaidVivian Dourte, the organization's treasurer.

"It comes out of their food budget, so we have a lot of people that are coming here because of that," said Dourte,

"There's not a whole lot available at all," she said of housing availability. "There's a huge need for places to live."

The Rotary Club of Montague recently hired a consultantto do an analysis of housing issues in eastern P.E.I.The report suggeststhat the number of new listings for homes for June 2019, at 165, was 84 fewer listings compared to 2010.

The reportalso showed the medianprice of a home in eastern P.E.I. increased from $79,516 in 2009 to $151,000 in 2019, but thathousehold incomes are not increasing at the same rate.

The inventory of affordable housingneeds to be increased,the analysis concludes.

"Demand for housing in eastern P.E.I is being influenced by several factors such as population growth, immigration, and the desire of current residents to remain in the area," the report states.Italso pointsto housing being lost to short-term vacation rentals.

According to the latest census data availablefrom 2016, only eightper centof dwellings in eastern P.E.I. are apartments.

Construction underway, say Liberals

Liberal candidate Lawrence MacAulaypoints to affordable housing projects in Montague and Stratfordcurrently under construction. The two buildings will each have 30 affordable units.

MacAulay said lack of affordable housing is a problem in many parts of Canada, noting P.E.I.'s population growth has increased demand.

"There is a shortage of housing here," said MacAulay."It's a continuing issue that we have to address all the time."

He said it's up to government to create initiatives to help theprivate sector tobuild housing, addinga Liberal government would also continue to fund more affordable housing projects.

MacAulay said the need for housing is a sign that the economy is doing well.

"Sometimes great success can create some issues, but they're not bad issues. But it's up to government to make sure they are addressed," he said.

More units,better incomessayGreens

Green candidate Glen Beatonsaysahousing availability has been lost to tourism rentals such as Airbnb.

"There's no question that's a major issue," hesaid.

Beatonsaid many moreaffordable housing units areneeded whether they'reco-op housing or government-subsidized through an improved CMHC program.

"When you drive through the rural areas our housing in various areas is not very good," said Beaton. "The present program is light on the number of units."

Beatonsaid wageson P.E.I. have to be increased as well so people can afford housing,adding the Green Party believes in eliminating tuition for post-secondary students, many of whom struggle to afford a place to live while going to school.

Federal land could help:Conservative

Conservative candidateWayne Phelan sayshis party has already committed to usingexcess federal landfor affordable housing projects.He said said municipal, provincial and federal governments need to get involved in projects together.

"They've got to sit down and say, where do we need the houses, how many do we need? There's no sense building25 when you have 350 people looking," said Phelan.

"You need more units.It's that simple."

Phelansaid short-term rentalsshould be taxedthe same as any other business, but addedhebelievesowners have the right to do what they want with their properties.

"I have nothing against Airbnbs they're very entrepreneurial, they're a good product,"

Phelan said he believesthere was alack of planning by government when it comes to immigrationand population growth in P.E.I., which haveaffectedhousing supply and price.

He said going door to door, he can't believe the number of empty homes he's encountered.

"Somebody owns a half-million dollar home and they're not living in it," Phelansaid. "It does worry me,"

NDP calls for more financial help

Lynne Thiele, Cardigan candidate for the NDP, saysco-operative housing and seniors housing needs to be increased.

"There's simply nothing available," shesaid.

Thiele said the NDPhas a plan tolower interest rates on loans which could help people get their first home.

"I don't know how anybody can afford a home," she said.

Thiele said creating affordable housing unitscan't be left to the private sector and thatgovernment has to step in.

"You can get those places going and help those places out right away," she said.

She also said there should be better regulation of short-term rentals.

"Alot of people are taking advantage of ordinary apartments that would have been used for long-term rentals and they're moving people out and creating an Airbnb."

She questions the benefit to the communityif people are being forced out to create abusiness.

Short-term rentals not an issue, says CHP

Christian Heritage Party candidate Christene Squires saysshe knows personally of the shortage of housing she said she hasbeen approached several times by people asking if she would consider renting out a room in her home.

"Funding needs to be addressed, to bring more funding here for housing," said Squires.

She's said she's not against short-term rentals.

"That might be something as a second income for somebody I don't think that's taking away from housing," Squires said.

Squires said she is concerned about rising housing prices.

"For the kinds of jobs that are here, it's not going to match," she said.

Trying to stay positive

James saidshe plans to stay in her rented roomin Charlottetown, and wants to stay positive she said she gets along well with the homeowner, and it's affordable.

"I've just made up my mind that I'm going to like it because I have no other choice," she said.

She misses her old community but makes trips back to the Montague area to visit her doctor, volunteerand do some shopping at the local mall.

"I would have like to have stayed in this area, but you know, youdeal with what you're given," Jamessaid.

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