Affordable housing is a major problem in Canada, with many people struggling with high costs and an inadequate supply of suitable homes. These pressures affect most residents and, in the worst cases, can lead to homelessness and a cycle of housing insecurity.

A lack of affordable housing doesn’t just affect low-income households. It also reshapes the economic and social stability of the middle class. Even relatively high earners can find themselves “house-poor,” devoting such a large share of income to mortgage or rent payments that little remains for savings, childcare, education, or retirement.

When housing consumes too much of household income, communities feel the impact. Consumer spending weakens, families delay having children, workers face longer commutes, and stress-related health problems rise. Employers struggle to recruit and retain staff, and essential workers are pushed farther from the communities they serve.

Europeans have been more successful at dealing with housing issues than Canadians. We can learn from them.

Please join the Canada West Forum, HOUSING, THE AFFORDABILITY CHALLENGE. It will be livestreamed on Zoom on Monday morning at 9 a.m. A panel of five experts will participate. Among them is one expert from Finland and another from Austria. Panel members will discuss important issues related to housing.

Follow this link to learn ways of joining the forum. There is no charge, since non-profit, non-partisan Canada West Forum is funded by its members.