Benefits of affordable housing choice

Many essential jobs such as those in healthcare, the service industry, and education, are lower-wage positions. Diverse housing choice ensure workers in these positions can live in the communities they serve reducing turnover, unstaffed positions, and business closures. When residents are also able to work closer to where they live, it makes it easier for businesses to attract and retain talented employees. 

Several common (and sometimes unexpected) life circumstances may contribute to the need for affordable housing options; a wide-range of purchase and rental prices allows residents to stay in their community when life circumstances change. 

These include: 

• divorce
• cost of living increases
• job loss 
• health issues 
• job leave due to disability or mental health 
• seniors on fixed incomes
• pursuing post-secondary education
• entering the job market as a recent graduate 
• domestic violence 
• families with special needs 
• economic downturns 

When residents of different income levels have access to secure housing, it creates a strong community where people feel a sense of belonging and become invested in their neighourhood. Often, the people who need affordable housing options already live in Airdrie. They are sharing housing with other family members or friends or are struggling to pay market rent by giving up meals. A complete community provides housing opportunities for all residents regardless of income.

As we, or our loved ones, age, affordable housing choice  ensures residents have the ability to ‘age in place’. This means that residents can live in the same community independently and comfortably as they move into their senior years. Many seniors want to stay in the communities they have built a life in for as long as possible and diverse housing choice makes that a possibility.