'Quality of life' report warns risk of homelessness has gone up (CKNW)

'Quality of life' report warns risk of homelessness has gone up

'Quality of life' report warns risk of homelessness has gone up

November, 17 - 8:04 AM

VANCOUVER (CKNW/AM980)-- The Federation of Canadian Municipalities is sounding the alarm about an increased risk for homelessness in the country, in the wake of rising shelter costs and shrinking rental markets.

A report on the "quality of life" in 20 Canadian urban centres warns the risk of homelessness has increased over the past decade for low-income people, especially seniors living in rental accomodation.

The study attributes the problem to a 50% drop in rental housing construction, which has led to low vacancy rates, dramatically rising rents and longer waits for social housing. Single-parent families, recent immigrants and aboriginals are the other groups most at risk.

During the same time period, the majority of the rest of the population enjoyed overall prosperity, with home ownership increasing significantly, courtesy of lower interest rates.

The FCM is calling on Ottawa for more funding for more affordable housing.