Can't find housing? Struggling with rising costs? Tell your story, in your own words

If you've been struggling with the rising cost of, well, everything — you're not alone. P.E.I. has seen some of the highest inflation rates in the country, average rents are higher than they've ever been, the cost to buy a house has just about doubled in the last decade, the cost of food seems like it just keeps going up, and the list goes on.

That's where you come in. Have you ever thought about writing your own story, sharing your perspective or life experience?

There's a Google form at the bottom of this page, but here's some more info before we get there.

Great question! 

CBC's First Person columns are a place to tell your story — in your own words. It's a more personal way of sharing a story and gives readers a little peek into your life experience.

A really good First Person piece can change the way someone sees the world by bringing them a new perspective, or even make someone feel a little less alone if they see themselves in your story.

Here's an FAQ with more about CBC's First Person stories.

We publish all kinds of pieces, but this series is on housing and the cost of living.

You don't have to be a professional writer — we'll work with you every step of the way. You just need to have a story you can tell in around 500 to 600 words, and it has to be an original piece that hasn't been published anywhere else.

The more specific the better. Focus on one slice of your life experience rather than trying to cover everything.

Maybe you're a renter who can't afford a place to live. Maybe you've had to give up on buying a house, or you've been forced to move back home or drop out of school. Maybe you've turned to the food bank to feed your family, or you work two or three jobs and you're still not making enough to live. These are just ideas to help you get started!

Here are a few examples from a series on climate change:

I'm a producer here at CBC P.E.I. and the editor behind most of our First Person pieces.

I'll go through the submissions with our editorial team in Charlottetown and pick a handful of people whose stories reflect all kinds of life experiences. I'll get back to everyone who submits, even if your pitch isn't the right fit.