HOUSING CRISIS: Penticton mother of two facing homelessness after eviction
A single mother of two in Penticton is facing homelessness after the half duplex she has been renting for the past nine years went up for sale, and she can’t find anywhere affordable to move to.
Jennifer Frost has two young teenagers and one of them has Down syndrome and autism. The home she's being evicted from is surrounded by neighbours who are familiar with her son’s extra needs and have contact information in case he's seen wondering outside of the house.
“Everyone knows each other and everyone has looked after each other the nine years we’ve lived here,” Frost said.
At the end of June, she was given an eviction notice to be out by end of August, but after weeks of trying to find an affordable place to live, she has come up empty and fears she and her children will soon be homeless.
Frost is currently disputing the eviction, trying desperately to buy more time.
“I’ve contacted every single non-profit organization in Penticton and no one can help me find low-income housing,” she said. “They’re trying to help but they all say there's no vacancy and to call back in six months.”
When she first started reaching out for places to rent in the beginning of July, a lot of people were on holidays, however a local non-profit organization did initially find a low-income housing unit for her.
This week, Frost was informed the low-income rental unit she had lined up to move into is no longer available due to damage and the need for extensive repair work.
She's also registered with BC Housing for subsidized housing.
“They called me a couple of days ago to say I’m approved and on the list for available housing and to check back every three to six months. Where do I go in the meantime?" she said.
Frost moved to Penticton from Ottawa in the 1990s. She runs a home-based business where she works as a contractor doing cold calls for companies. She shares custody with her children’s dad who she said is trying to help, while her immediate family lives back east.
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As a long-term renter Frost pays $1,244 in rent and said she can afford to pay $1,600 in rent.
“The problem is everywhere I look, even for a two bedroom, it’s over $2,000. Even if I move into a one bedroom it will cost me two to three hundred more that what I’m paying and won’t be a suitable place for two teenagers.”
Not having stable housing is taking a toll on Frost’s mental health.
“My daughter found out this week we lost the low-income unit. I was bawling and trying to dry my tears when I picked her up from school and she tried to reassure me. Now I’m crying when I’m working when I’m supposed to be bubbly and outgoing. I have back-to-back zoom calls and my eyes are puffy.”
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Under pressure to move out, Frost is now looking into motels to live in that she can afford.
“There are hundreds of moms like me in similar situations,” she said. “People are buying up houses and kicking us out, yet no one can give me an answer as to where there’s an affordable, safe place for me and my children.
“I’m a working mom, running a business and keeping a clean home. No one in any community should be facing this. This housing crisis needs to change and I’m not afraid to stand up and advocate for that.”
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According to the 2024 Market Rental report by the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, demand for rental units is outpacing supply across the country for the second consecutive year. Last year, Canada experienced record-low vacancy rates (1.5%) and record-high average rent growth (8.0%) which created competitive rental conditions.
The number of people needing rentals is increasing faster than wages are, with lower-income renters facing below-average vacancy rates for more affordable units.
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