Saskatoon lacks good quality affordable rental housing and since February there was a 40 per cent decline in the listings for three-bedroom rental units over four months.
That’s according to the National Affordable Housing Corporation, which is a non-profit organization based in Saskatoon dedicated to finding effective, affordable housing solutions for prairie cities and towns.
Spokesperson, Alan Wallace says COVID-19 has challenged the situation further, but there was a shortage beforehand, and in particular for families needing the larger, three-bedroom units.
The NAHC would like to see affordable housing blended in with other housing in the newer neighbourhoods.
Wallace points to a development in Willowgrove which has 72 units and six are subsidized.
He explains that this de-concentrates affordable housing and removes the stigma.
The NAHC is advocating for this approach with the construction industry and with the City, which could support mixed market housing through policies and strategies.