“I have the human right to be housed.” What does that mean? Now what?

BY STEVEN KASZAB

The price of housing in Canada continue to rise, no matter what the Canadian Central Bank intends. Supply has taken over the public’s imperative to buy, sell and become rich, or indebted for years to come. That is not to say that housing starts have not increased, as they have, but their prices remain high, and certainly not what you’d call affordable housing. We should have enough housing to fill the needs of new and residential Canadians in say 10-15 years if that. Pricing will remain close to present day prices, as profiteering is the main reason developers develop and real estate agents and sellers sell.

As new migrants, refugees and economic migration continues to increase, so does the demand for housing. Every type of housing starts is necessary to maintain the public’s acceptance of our elected officialdom. If the public is weary of present-day politicians’ efforts to satisfy them, elections will become quite exciting indeed. If politicians come through with their promises like: Premier Ford, Justin Trudeau and others a political legacy may develop.

The working class is eager to see if housing starts actually include apartments, condos, townhomes that are affordably priced. Will they have to hold their breath a long time? The housing we are seeing are priced to match the capabilities of middle class, or upper class borrowing, not that of the working stiff. Governmental partnerships often do not include ownership in these developments, so who is to say what the prices will be, for how long, and when will prices escalate?

A housing revolution was declared, but that so-called revolution includes the pricing of said homes. No developer will build something unless they can make double or triple the cost of the house. Neither will real estate agents tell their customers to put a hold on their desired higher prices and think of the less fortunate who need housing! This so-called housing revolution is nothing more than a promotional program that satisfies the: well off, cash rich, and elite with their bubble wrapped kids at hand. The politician makes off like a bandit as well, looking just fine in front of their followers, achieving what is needed, but for whom?

Canada is a wonderful place so long as you have: a permanent well-paying job, health insurance and cash in the bank. If your disposable income dwindles by the end of the month, you’re a worker often without any funds, let alone save many thousands of dollars for the needed 20% down payment for a house. Has the banking system changed anything to make home ownership easier? Is home ownership a right, or as those who already have homes say, a privilege? Are you willing to become enslaved to your home? Slavery by any financial matter can oppress anyone who determines that they are willing to play the housing market casino, 3-5 years mortgages with no idea what the interest rates, or inflation rates will become when the time comes to renew.

The National Housing Strategy Act recognizes housing as a human right. Now what? Does the banking system care? Seems like a collective of politicians can declare housing as a human right, and then not enshrine it in our constitution, or act upon its powerful meaning.

“I have the human right to be housed.” What does that mean? Now what?