24, working full-time and on the brink of homelessness

Since she was 18, area resident Shelbie Ivan has done what many young people do - she has rented. Today, she is 24, working full-time and on the brink of homelessness. 

"I am couch surfing right now," she said.

Ivan who has rented in most of the surrounding areas of Rocky View County, was previously renting in Cochrane until May of this year. Ivan said her former landlord evicted her as she was unable to pay the remainder of the month's rent. She said she was evicted one week before her paycheck arrived. Ivan estimates that in the past months, the rental prices have ballooned to $2,400 per month. She was sharing the monthly rental cost with three other people. 

"I was paying about $600 to $700 per paycheck without utilities," she said. 

Six years ago when she began renting, Ivan and a roommate split the $1,000 rent for a duplex in half; with utilities, she estimated she paid another $150. However, Ivan's observations about rental prices skyrocketing are not anecdotal.

Data from Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation shows that the average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in 2018 in the province was around $1,015. In 2019 there was a small increase to $1,033. 2020 saw the average rent increase minimally to $1,036. By 2021, the average price for renting a one-bedroom apartment was up to $1,049. By 2022, the price increased by nearly $70 dollars to $1,114. 

Data from Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation shows the trajectory of what the average price for a one-bedroom apartment in the province cost in 1990 and how it has steadily increased. (Graphic credit to Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation / CMHC  Rental Market Survey)

And while rental prices, food, gas and other necessities have been climbing, numbers from Statistics Canada show women's total average income in Alberta, between the ages of 16-24, has not grown at the same pace. 

Statistics Canada: Table 11-10-0239-01  Income of individuals by age group, sex and income source, Canada, provinces and selected census metropolitan areas

Ivan's predicament is complicated further as she has two dogs. Previously, prospective residents looking to rent have also underlined that families or individuals with pets have a much harder time finding a suitable place to rent; landlords may either refuse their application or stipulate that there will be added fees for having pets in a property. However, Ivan suspects that because her two dogs are of the pitbull breed, there is an added hurdle because of the perceived notion that the dogs may be more aggressive than other breeds.

Because she works at a pet resort, her two dogs go with her to work - rather than staying at home, though this hasn't seemed to sway landlords. When asked if she would be willing to give her dogs up in order to potentially open up the rental property choices to her, she said that is not an option. However, her unwillingness to give up her animals stems from a very deep emotional bond she has with her animals. Ivan revealed that she is currently recovering from substance use.

"The importance that my dogs hold is like the importance of keeping a 10-year sober coin. Many people may be in the same situation as myself; they often reconsider their animals due to the fact that there is nothing that allows us to have a safe home to rest our heads and stay in recovery with our main support systems."

Ivan said that she hopes in sharing this intimate detail about herself, others may become more aware that it's not just about the supply-demand of a rental market and cold-hard economics which should be considered. 

"Our animals, in situations like this, hold a high value to our sobriety. Unfortunately, this economy isn't allowing us to continue successfully. I really hope that [sharing this] will shed some perspective about the deep and personal meaning behind our companions, the importance of keeping our lives together and preventing more suicide due to the lack of housing and high inflation."

Ivan has been scouring Calgary, Airdrie, as well as Cochrane, hoping that by widening the geographic area, she may find more options. In a few weeks, summer will turn to fall, which will present Ivan with the possibility of having to sleep in her car if she doesn't find housing.

"... [It's] the fear of being stuck in a vehicle during those very cold nights. The last thing I want to do is have my dogs either get sick [with] pneumonia; or even myself that prevents me from working and then it lowers my chances of finding a place," Ivan said. "It's very hard to sleep in a car. I have a little 2006 Mazda, so, it's not the most spacious place."

Recently, Ivan posted to a local Airdrie Facebook group, explaining her predicament. She said that many of the comments that her post received, alluded to others being in a similar situation as herself. Ivan wrote that she has a budget of $1230 for rent with utilities. 

"I personally have contemplated giving up, but my dogs pulled me out and gave me something to fight for, and for that, I will continue to fight for a home for me and my boys."