The issue of the shortage of affordable housing is one which was brought into local focus at a Regional Housing Conference held in Yorkton last Tuesday.
"Economic growth in Saskatchewan kind of snuck up on us," said Tom Seeley as he gave an overview of the issue. He added as the economy boomed there became a housing shortage. "The housing issue sort of snuck up on us too
"We have in-migration that's deepening our housing crisis."
And now the issue of affordable housing is a critical, warned Seeley. He said the shortage of "affordable, entry level housing is pandemic throughout the region."
As tight as the housing situation is today, it could become worse if the situation is not addressed now, warned Alan Thomarat, Chief Executive Officers with the Canadian Home Builders Association - Saskatchewan chapter. He said provincially they are forecasting a population of 1.5 million by 2030, and with current housing start rates it's "not going to put us on the track." In fact, he estimated it would be 200,000 short.
Seeley said "having a safe, affordable place to live," is a crucial aspect of a community from both the social point of view, and in support of economic growth.
"It really does build better communities to have safe, affordable housing."
Seeley said having safe, affordable housing is a cornerstone to build on in a community.
"Social development and economic development go hand-in-hand. Social and economic development are really two sides of the same coin," he said. "It starts with affordable housing."
Thomarat said a lack of housing is a drag on potential economic growth.
"You're not going to make things work if you don't have housing," he said. " Housing in Saskatchewan seems one of our key barriers to growth right now. To sustain growth we will need to see more housing starts."
Of course to build the houses you need people too.
"You can't have housing without skilled builders," said Thomarat.
Currently the situation for rental housing is tight not just in Yorkton, but large and small communities across the province, reiterated Seeley.
"They're just not there at all in most communities," he said.
And building to address the shortage is not easily done either, admitted Seeley, noting in some cases it's "a lack of serviced land." If serviced lots are not in place communities face the challenge of opening new lots. The cost of "servicing lots are very, very high."
Seeley said he sees the process of addressing the shortage as a series of steps, adding the first step is awareness, which participation in Tuesday's conference suggested people have locally.
The second is developing a plan, again the conference being a step toward that.
And finally Seeley said, "We need to get action. We need to get shovels in the ground, get foundations built not in three years time. Not in five years, but soon."
Seeley said the onus was on people like those at the conference.
"You are the people who are aware of the issues," he said, adding "there are folks in this room that make things happen."
Seeley said government has a role to play in the overall solution, but added they are not the only participant.
"We need government assistance to get some of these things going," he said, adding, "but remember, government can never do it all, can never do enough.
"We need local community initiatives."
