Some Calgarians living in RVs as they wait for affordable housing

Some Calgarians who are waiting for affordable housing to become available are calling their RVs home while they figure out what to do next.

The motorhome residents in an industrial area on Moraine Road in northeast Calgary received written notice from the Calgary Parking Authority last week, advising them that the area they currently call home will soon become a no parking zone.

“This was the best option, I heard about this because my daughter works close by,” says one RV owner. “I have been here since the first of the month.

Another tells CityNews they have been parking in the same area for a decade and are frustrated it is now becoming a problem with the city and the parking authority.

They claim to have only received two or three tickets in the first eight years living there, and have received 21 tickets in the last three years.

In a statement, Calgary’s Chief Housing Officer, Jeff Chase, says they are working to resolve housing issues as quickly as possible and have brought together a number of divisions to develop a long-term plan as it pertains to the RV situation.

“There are many dynamics that will need to be considered including safety concerns, disposal of bio-waste, and impacts for adjacent businesses and residents,” he said.

“We know these housing situations are a direct reflection of the broader housing challenges our city and others in North America are facing.”

Lee Stevens is a housing advocate with Vibrant Communities Calgary, and says affordable housing needs to be a higher priority for the city.

“This isn’t a quick fix, it’s going to take awhile,” she says. “We need to keep building more affordable housing. Deeply subsidized housing is something we need to prioritize if we want to see fewer people living in motorhomes.”

Until then, the RV owners CityNews spoke to plan to stay put while they await the city’s decision.