Thread by @JessBSR

It’s really difficult not to feel despair about the housing market in Canada. My husband and I have been trying to buy for nearly 2 years; in that time, prices have gone up by nearly $200,000 in the townhouse market (all we can maybe afford, obviously). #vanre

We’ve managed to amass a lot of savings over the past year and a half, but it barely makes a dent. I just got promoted with a significant raise, but now that prices have gone up again (and continue to) in the category we’re looking at, we might STILL be out of luck.

Every time we make headway, the goalposts are moved again. This is a catastrophic failure of our government and our society - what does it say about Canada when young professionals cannot afford stable, comfortable housing?

The fact that those in power are just sitting back and watching it happen makes my blood boil. Those profiting off of and furthering the crisis (“investors”) are disgusting - but it’s our government letting them exploit the system and screw us over.

They could stop it if they wanted to - but they won’t, because Canada’s sad, limping, sorry excuse for an economy is propped up by real estate. Meanwhile the average citizen works hard, pays taxes, and can’t afford basic middle class comforts. It’s criminal.

If you’re not angry, you’re not paying attention. @JustinTrudeau has failed us on multiple fronts - don’t let the good hair and woke virtue-signalling fool you. He only cares about his own interests and those of his $$$$ donors. We are expendable.

And it’s not just him, either. At the provincial level, governments continue to look the other way, or hand-wring will implementing toothless, gutless policies that make it seem like they’re doing something but completely fail to address the problem.

I just want 1400 square feet and a little plot of outdoor space so that I can have a couple kids and host Christmas dinner. If that’s asking too much (after multiple degrees, $90k in savings, and a solid income), we have failed as a society. HOMES ARE FOR LIVING IN.

So anyway, I’m fucking angry. I’m sad. I’m exhausted. And I can’t see a way out.

We could leave - but we’d leave behind family who needs care, our jobs, and our way of life. How is that a solution? (It isn’t, so save it.)

Something must be done. It’s time to apply some goddamn pressure. I am so, so sick of being robbed to finance the rich and the older generations. Our futures are important. We matter.

Just want to add that while many in the RE industry appear to be revelling in this crisis (because $$$$ for them), I very much appreciate those in this space who act with integrity and advocate for change. @ronmortgageguy and @StephenPunwasi come to mind.