A resilient Saskatoon woman who has dedicated her life to helping others in need is now facing her own crisis. Crystal Beauchamp, a mother of two and a former foster child herself, recently found herself facing eviction after her landlord declared bankruptcy. As if that wasn’t enough, her franchise also went out of business, leaving her in dire need of a low-cost three-bedroom home to accommodate her family.
Beauchamp’s plight speaks to a larger issue in Saskatoon and the wider province of Saskatchewan. According to the Canada Mortgage and Housing (CMHC) yearly housing market report, there is a vacancy rate of only 2 percent in Saskatoon and 1.6 percent in Regina. This shortage is particularly impacting low-income families who are struggling to find suitable housing.
The CMHC report also highlights the scarcity of affordable rental units, with only 5 percent of the rental universe in the Census Metropolitan Area (CMA) being affordable for families in the lowest income quartile. This alarming statistic underscores the urgent need for affordable housing options for vulnerable members of the community.
While the Saskatchewan Landlord Association is advocating for an end to the Provincial Sales Tax (PST) on rental constructions to alleviate costs, the provincial government has taken a different approach. Legislation has been passed to provide rebates for PST paid on new homes constructed. However, for individuals like Beauchamp, who are on the brink of homelessness, these rebates offer little solace in an increasingly challenging housing market and faltering economy.
Beauchamp is not willing to sit idly by in the face of adversity. She is calling on the community to come together and take action, urging them to petition, strike, and raise their voices to demand change. It is clear that a collective effort is needed to address the pressing issue of affordable housing and ensure that no individual or family is left behind.
As our society grapples with the lasting impacts of the pandemic, it is crucial that we prioritize the well-being and stability of all members of our community. By actively addressing the housing crisis and working towards sustainable solutions, we can create a future where everyone has access to safe and affordable housing, regardless of their income level.
FAQ Section:
1. Who is Crystal Beauchamp?
Crystal Beauchamp is a resilient woman from Saskatoon who has dedicated her life to helping others in need. She is a mother of two and a former foster child herself.
2. What crisis is Crystal Beauchamp facing?
Crystal Beauchamp is facing eviction after her landlord declared bankruptcy. In addition, her franchise also went out of business, leaving her in dire need of a low-cost three-bedroom home for her family.
3. What is the housing situation in Saskatoon and Regina?
According to the Canada Mortgage and Housing (CMHC) yearly housing market report, there is a vacancy rate of only 2 percent in Saskatoon and 1.6 percent in Regina. This shortage of available housing is particularly impacting low-income families.
4. How many rental units in the Census Metropolitan Area (CMA) are affordable to low-income families?
According to the CMHC report, only 5 percent of the rental universe in the CMA is affordable for families in the lowest income quartile. This scarcity of affordable rental units highlights the urgent need for more affordable housing options.
5. What approach has the provincial government of Saskatchewan taken to address the housing crisis?
The provincial government of Saskatchewan has passed legislation to provide rebates for Provincial Sales Tax (PST) paid on new homes constructed. However, for individuals like Crystal Beauchamp who are on the brink of homelessness, these rebates offer little solace in a challenging housing market and faltering economy.
6. What is Crystal Beauchamp urging the community to do?
Crystal Beauchamp is calling on the community to come together and take action. She is urging them to petition, strike, and raise their voices to demand change in order to address the pressing issue of affordable housing.
Definitions:
– Eviction: The action of expelling someone from a property, typically their rented home, by legal process.
– Franchise: A type of business where an individual or company is granted the rights to operate a business under a recognized brand and established business model.
– Vacancy rate: The percentage of available rental properties that are currently unoccupied.
– Census Metropolitan Area (CMA): A geographic region defined by Statistics Canada that consists of one or more neighboring municipalities centered around a larger urban core.
– Provincial Sales Tax (PST): A tax levied by an individual province on the sale or consumption of goods and services.
Suggested Related Links:
– Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
– Government of Saskatchewan – Home