The Pulse is SaltWire's deep dive series. In P.E.I., our reporters have been delving into the issue of housing. We have looked at housing supply, construction challenges, urban planning, and the experiences of those struggling to find homes. The coverage aims to highlight gaps and solutions to ensure affordable housing for all residents.The Pulse is SaltWire's deep dive series. In P.E.I., our reporters have been delving into the issue of housing.
"In Toronto Ottawa, you still have to hunt but you will get something. Here, it's hopeless, in every single way, every way."The first apartment Stephen found after a frustrating series of searches on sites like Facebook Marketplace, had serious issues with mould, so he vacated it. He then relocated to New Brunswick because he couldn’t find a place to live in P.E.I.
“It's a really, really difficult time to be a tenant and to be someone who is searching for suitable housing,” said Ryan MacRae an organizer with P.EI. Fight for Affordable Housing. Stephen said he and his girlfriend have tried repeatedly to reach out to several organizations to help them with their housing struggle, but he said the waitlist and slow replies were not helpful at all.
“I just consider myself very lucky. I would have loved to have a whole house, but at this point, you just take what you can get.”