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Shuswap sees growing need for rental properties

Many people in search of long-term rental accommodations in the Shuswap are finding it difficult to find a place to live.
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Certain rental accommodations are becoming increasingly difficult to find.

Many people in search of long-term rental accommodations in the Shuswap are finding it difficult to find a place to live.

Popular message boards such as Kijiji are filled with ads made by people looking for accommodations. Local Kijiji pages on July 18 reflected the shortage of rental accommodations with 21 of 22 ads in the house rental section and seven of 12 in the apartments and condos section posted by people looking for a place to live.

“Well, it’s that there are almost zero places to rent in general, and if you find a place, they don’t accept pets and/ or children. Sometimes there are even age restrictions,” said April Dodds, who has had difficulties finding a place to rent.

“Most places are so expensive that two people making slightly above minimum wage can’t afford it. With a baby on the way it is very stressful to think that you may not have a place to go in time,” Dodds added.

Kim Mockford, who currently rents a house in Ranchero, has been in search of a place to rent for nearly a year as her landlord announced that he is attempting to sell the house.

“I’ve had ads on Kijiji, I’ve had ads on my Facebook , on the hobby farmers’ Buy and Sell. There is just nowhere to rent,” she said.

Mockford said she needs a place closer to Salmon Arm as her eleven-year-old son will be attending Shuswap Middle School soon, but many of the replies to her ad have been for properties in outlying areas.

Mockford said she has had her difficulties compounded by property owners who do not allow pets.

“I’m starting to get worried,” she said.

Difficulties finding rentals extend to other parts of the Shuswap as well.

“Places are selling like never before here so I know it’s a challenge to find rent here in the summertime,” said Gwyneth Gau, an office administrator at the Sicamous Resource Centre.

 



Jim Elliot

About the Author: Jim Elliot

I’m a B.C. transplant here in Whitehorse at The News telling stories about the Yukon's people, environment, and culture.
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