Housing crisis in New Brunswick could get worse, with more people at risk, advocates warn

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1 week ago
housing-crisis-in-new-brunswick-could-get-worse,-with-more-people-at-risk,-advocates-warnHousing crisis in New Brunswick could get worse, with more people at risk, advocates warn

The New Brunswick Non-Profit Housing Association is issuing a call to action to all New Brunswickers for help solving the province’s housing crisis.

As of last month, there were about 1,500 homeless people in the province’s three largest cities, said Peter Corbyn, executive director of the group.

“My concern is that’s just the tip of the iceberg,” he said.

“As the cost of housing and rental goes up, more and more people will be at risk of losing where they live now.”

About 20 per cent of the population is in a precarious situation when it comes to housing, said Corbyn. 

That’s based on the latest census information, which found one in five households could not afford more than $880 in rent, he noted. 

“We all know that’s gone up substantially,” he said.

A view of houses in Saint John's Lower West Side

Average home prices in Canada have increased 10 per cent a year since 2005, while wages have only increased about 2.5 per cent a year. (Graham Thompson/CBC)

Average rents in the province now range from $1,000 to $1,400, according to the website apartments.com, and in many cases that doesn’t include utilities.

Average home prices in Canada have increased about 10 per cent a year since 2005, said Corbyn, to $700,000 from $200,000, while wages have only increased by about 2.5 per cent a year.

The lowest-priced units are generally owned either by the province, non-profit organizations or co-operatives,

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