Somebody should be doing it, but unfortunately, nobody has to do it.
A good portion of Estevan's population will continue their struggle to find affordable apartments.
As noted in this week's article addressing the housing shortages in Estevan, specifically the lack of decently priced apartment units, the answers aren't coming easily or swiftly.
The residential developers aren't that interested, the investment community isn't interested, even with the highest rental rates in the country, and the politicians aren't interested.
In fact, the only time we have heard encouraging words regarding construction of apartments in Estevan, was when the Little Pine First Nation approached the community to find out how we felt about a casino being built here. Their proponents brought forth the idea of apartment buildings as they realized that with the current state of housing here, they were going to have to build affordable apartments for their 200 or so prospective employees.
The idea of a casino didn't fly in a follow-up, non-binding referendum vote, so the Energy City is pretty well back to the first square when it comes to apartments or casinos. This city offers at least 100 fewer apartments than does our neighbour Weyburn, which has about 2,000 fewer residents. Yorkton and Swift Current offer 300 or more apartments than what can be found here.
Local developers have indicated a willingness to build, but only if they can find buyers willing to own and manage the complex. So far, no takers and nobody is forcing them to construct apartments either, nor should they.
Politicians prefer to run away from the problem. They have the power to mandate or set a minimum standard, but are loath to tread on that territory. Saskatchewan Housing could provide relief, as they have in other communities, but nothing of significance has been earmarked for Estevan.
So we are left with questions and concerns regarding this housing dilemma.
Would Little Pine be interested in building a couple of apartments if land were made available to them? Perhaps it could fit into a hotel/service station concept that they talked about while pitching the casino idea. So far we're saying no to a casino, but what about a couple of six-storey apartments?
Is the investment community in Estevan interested at all? Is anyone curious enough to find out?
Is the Southeast Regional College still pursuing the apartment/dormitory idea? Nobody appears to be pushing any green light buttons on that topic as yet.
What about the oilpatch service community? Their head offices might appreciate the opportunity to alleviate the revolving door labour situation by giving their employees some secure housing options in units they could own and manage themselves. It might be a viable option to invest some of the profits they are making from the local oilpatch. We certainly see enough cash floating around and through the community. Why not invest in it?
That's a question we pose to a number of businesses. After all, it's having the right people in the right jobs that create the profits. Why not have these people feeling a little bit happy and a little more secure in the knowledge that when they come to Estevan they are actually wanted and appreciated and not dealt with as disposable objects who are destined to move on because they have no place to live and nobody interested in helping them find a solution.
