Family priced out of rental market on N.S. south shore forced to live in tents
Global News
Jessica Smith is a lifelong South Shore resident and says even with a full-time job as a continuing care assistant, she's priced out of the rental market.
A campground in Lunenburg, N.S., is the only makeshift home Jessica Smith and her family could find after months of searching.
“We had a short-term rental from October until June 1. So, from October 2021 until now, we’ve been looking for a rental,” Smith said.
Smith is a lifelong South Shore resident and says even with a full-time job as a continuing care assistant, she’s priced out of the rental market.
“Rent has gone up drastically. If anything is available, it’s short-term or there’s a lot of Airbnbs happening right now, or there’s just not places big enough, suitable, for a large family,” she said.
Smith decided to publicly share the struggle her family is facing because she knows there are many others in similar positions.
“The government and everybody needs to be aware of what’s actually happening. They need to try to get something in place for families that don’t have a home and don’t qualify to buy a home. They need to hear us,” she said.
The community is rallying behind the family with support and widespread efforts to find them suitable housing.
“A stranger … reached out to me and she has gathered up a lot of people that are donating stays at Airbnbs, she’s promoting small businesses as well. So, every day she’s trying to get a small business to donate something, and then they’re going to auction it off,” she said.