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Calgary Herald

Opinion: No one should have to struggle to live because they can't find accessible affordable housing

Article content As we mark National AccessAbility Week from May 25 to 31, we celebrate the invaluable contributions of Canadians with disabilities. But we must also acknowledge a sobering reality: Alberta's affordable housing crisis continues to push people with disabilities into poverty, isolation and unsafe living conditions, especially when accessible options are so few and far between. Article content Article content Article content For more than 50 years, Accessible Housing has worked to ensure that Albertans with physical disabilities can live safely and independently in homes that meet their needs. But today, the challenge has never been greater. Demand for accessible, affordable housing far exceeds supply and the consequences are serious. Article content Article content Across Alberta, people with disabilities are disproportionately affected by housing instability. Many rely on the Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped (AISH), which provides a maximum monthly income of $1,787. With average rents for a one-bedroom unit in Calgary now at almost $1,700, there simply isn't enough money left over for necessities such as food and medication, let alone accessible features that support independence. Article content The problem isn't only affordability — it's access. In Calgary and Edmonton, just two to three per cent of affordable housing units are fully accessible. For people with mobility challenges, that can mean living in a unit where they can't use the bathroom independently, reach kitchen counters or safely exit during an emergency. Others may be forced to remain in hospitals or care facilities longer than needed because no accessible housing is available in the community. Article content Article content This is more than a housing shortage. It's a human-rights issue. Article content When people cannot find housing that meets their physical needs — or afford it even when they do — their health, safety and quality of life are all at risk. They become isolated. They lose autonomy. Their physical and mental health deteriorates. And their sense of inclusion and dignity — something we celebrate during AccessAbility Week — becomes harder to sustain. Article content A recent United Nations report raised serious concerns about Canada's support systems for people with disabilities, including the lack of accessible housing and other essential services. These concerns are also reflected in ongoing legal and policy debates across the country, as we ask ourselves whether we are truly doing enough to support the rights and well-being of people with disabilities.