Affordable Housing Crisis- Assignment

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University of Saskatchewan *

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PUBLIC POL

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Economics

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Apr 3, 2024

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docx

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Title: Unpacking the Wickedness of the Canadian Housing Crisis Abstract: The housing crisis in Canada is a complex problem. This article explores its challenges, including its complexity, unintended consequences, regional differences, and conflicts among stakeholders. It also suggests a mitigation strategy through a stakeholder diagram. Introduction: The Canadian housing crisis is not a simple problem with a straightforward solution. It falls into the category of wicked problems, which are characterized by their complex, interconnected, and indefinable nature. Understanding the complexity of wicked problems and their effects is crucial to understanding the Canadian housing crisis. This article aims to explore various aspects that make the housing crisis in Canada a challenging issue for policymakers and stakeholders. Concept of Wicked Problems vs. Straightforward Problems: Wicked problems are fundamentally different from straightforward problems. Unlike straightforward problems that have clear, well-defined solutions, wicked problems resist easy solutions and often result in unintended consequences. Wicked problems lack clarity in both their aims and solutions, and are subject to real-world constraints whichhinder risk-free attempts to find a solution (Wong, E. (2023, October 16). Wicked problems exhibit several key attributes, including complexity, uncertainty, ambiguity, and regional variability. These problems require ongoing management and adaptability because they do not have definitive solutions (Rittel & Webber, 1973). Analyzing the Canadian Housing Crisis as a Wicked Problem: The Canadian housing crisis exemplifies the characteristics of a wicked problem. The first aspect to consider is problem definition, which is particularly challenging due to its complicated nature. This crisis encompasses skyrocketing home prices, a lack of affordable rental housing, homelessness, and property speculation, making it difficult to precisely define the problem (Sharma, 2022). The ratio of home prices to household incomes surged to historical extremes last year (Colmar, 2023)
Interconnected issues further contribute to its wickedness. The housing crisis involves various dimensions, including economic factors, zoning regulations, immigration trends, and social inequality. Changes in one dimension can lead to unexpected consequences in others, creating a web of interconnected issues that defy straightforward analysis. Unintended consequences of interventions further highlight the complexity of the crisis. For instance, government subsidies or restrictions can result in unexpected outcomes, such as exacerbating affordability issues or overheating certain housing markets for instance Lenders are reporting an alarming increase in the number of homeowners unable to fulfill their mortgage obligations once their interest rates were reset higher (Colmar, 2023) . Unfortunately, Canada’s very high levels of household debt — and the highest in the G7 — makes the economy vulnerable to any global economic crisis (Aled ab Iorwerth, 2023). Housing supply picture improving but Canada still needs 3.5 million more new homes by 2030. ( Evans, P. (2023, September 13)) . Moreover, Regional variability adds another layer of complexity. The housing crisis varies significantly by region, with cities like Vancouver and Toronto facing different challenges from smaller towns as they attracting home investors across globe (McMullen, T. (2015, April 3). This regional disparity makes a one-size-fits-all solution almost impossible. Stakeholder disagreements form a central part of the crisis. Each stakeholder group has conflicting interests, such as affordability versus profitability or homeownership versus rental options. These disagreements further compound the intricacy of the issue.
Stakeholder Diagram: The stakeholder diagram provides a visual representation of the key stakeholders involved in or affected by the Canadian housing crisis. These stakeholders represent a diverse array of interests, and understanding their positions is vital to comprehending the challenges associated with the housing crisis. Government Entities: 1. Federal Government: The federal government is deeply involved in addressing the housing crisis due to concerns about national economic stability, housing affordability, and social welfare. They argue for balanced policies that promote housing affordability and stimulate economic growth while striving to avoid an overheated housing market that might lead to a future economic crisis. For example , In acknowledging that Canadians face a housing crisis, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced in London, Ont., the first federal cash to come from the Housing Accelerator Fund . (Quadri, O. (2023, September 14)) 2. Provincial Governments: Provincial governments are actively involved because they set land-use policies, rental regulations, and manage social housing programs. They advocate for policies that consider regional economic disparities and aim to ensure that housing policies are in line with the unique needs of their provinces. They often argue for greater flexibility in implementing regulations to promote both economic stability and social well-being.
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