# Housing Freedom

!!! quote "Landlord Wisdom"
    "Let's pull ourselves up by our bootstraps! (Just not in my rental property)"

[Call Jason Nixon, Minister of Assisted Living and Social Services](tel:7806436210){ .md-button }
[Email Minister of Assisted Living and Social Services](https://influence.freealberta.org/campaign/seniors-housing){ .md-button }

[Call Searle Turton, Minister of Children and Family Services](tel:7806445255){ .md-button }
[Email Minister of Children and Family Services](https://influence.freealberta.org/campaign/family-housing){ .md-button }

## Why Should Housing Be Free?

Because living in our trucks might be a lifestyle choice for some, but it shouldn't be our only option. Wild concept: maybe having a roof over our heads shouldn't require sacrificing our firstborns to the mortgage gods.

### Our Current "Freedom" System

!!! example "The Alberta Housing Dream"
    1. We work 3 jobs
    2. We save for 20 years
    3. We watch housing prices triple
    4. We consider moving to Saskatchewan
    5. We realize that's too desperate
    6. We keep renting forever

## What Real Housing Freedom Looks Like

- Basic housing as our human right (yes, even for people we don't like)
- Quality construction (walls shouldn't be optional)
- Reasonable space (more than just room for our Flames jersey collections)
- Safe neighborhoods (and not just in the suburbs)
- Utilities included (because frozen Albertans aren't free Albertans)

### But What About Property Rights?!

!!! info "Plot Twist"
    Nobody's saying we can't own property. We're just suggesting that maybe housing shouldn't be treated like Pokemon cards - you know, gotta catch 'em all while others have none.

## The Economic Freedom Argument

When we have stable housing, we:
- Keep our jobs better
- Stay healthier
- Contribute more to our community
- Buy more local truck accessories

### What We're Missing

- Affordable housing that doesn't require a PhD in extreme couponing
- Reasonable rent prices (our landlords don't need third vacation homes)
- Housing first programs that work
- Communities built for people, not just profits

!!! tip "Pro Freedom Tip"
    If we think free basic housing is radical, remember: we already have public roads, schools, and healthcare. Our houses didn't suddenly become a communist plot.

## The Bottom Line

Housing freedom means having a secure place to live that doesn't eat up 80% of our income. It means understanding that a housed population is a productive population (who knew?).

!!! warning "Reality Check"
    Our freedom to choose between overpriced rentals isn't actually freedom - it's just decorated desperation.

Ready to build a freer Alberta? Let's share this with our neighbors - especially the ones who think "just move somewhere cheaper" is helpful advice.

---

## Sources & Evidence

### Rent Crisis
- Rent in Alberta increased **17.5% year-over-year** in 2024 - one of the fastest increases in Canada
- Average rent is now unaffordable for minimum wage workers
- Source: [Rentals.ca National Rent Report](https://rentals.ca/national-rent-report)
- Source: [CBC News - Alberta rent increases](https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/alberta-rent-increase-1.7089234)

### Seniors Care Crisis
- **64% of COVID-19 deaths** occurred in continuing care facilities
- For-profit facilities had **significantly worse outcomes** according to the Auditor General
- New Continuing Care Act **removed minimum care hour requirements** (unchanged since 1985)
- Monthly costs: **$2,073-$3,324** for subsidized continuing care
- **78% of Albertans** support mandatory minimum care standards
- Source: [Friends of Medicare - Continuing Care](https://www.friendsofmedicare.org/continuingcare)
- Source: [Auditor General of Alberta - Seniors Care Reports](https://www.oag.ab.ca/)

### Childcare and Family Housing
- Childcare waitlists exceed **400 children** in some Alberta communities
- High-waitlist areas include Grande Prairie, Red Deer, Lethbridge, and Fort McMurray
- Childcare fees dropped from $44/day (2021) to $15/day (April 2025)
- Source: [Government of Alberta - Childcare](https://www.alberta.ca/child-care)

### Homelessness
- Homelessness increasing across all demographics in Alberta
- New construction focused on luxury housing, not affordable units
- Waitlists for subsidized housing are years long
- Source: [Alberta Urban Municipalities Association](https://www.abmunis.ca/)

![freealbertalogo](../assets/freealberta-logo-long-opaque.gif)