As rents skyrocket, many are looking to creative co-living arrangements as a way of getting by. In Ottawa, some are finding their new arrangements offer more than just cost savings.As rents skyrocket, many are looking to creative co-living arrangements as a way to save money. Some are finding other benefits. After 10 years of saving, Pat Dunn and her husband took the leap into retirement, and in 2011 travelled to the Caribbean to live aboard their boat.
After facing financial hardship, Pat Dunn was inspired to launch her non-profit Senior Women Living Together, which recently expanded into the Ottawa Valley. The non-profit's expansion coincides historically high rents in Ottawa, according to a February report from Rentals.ca.The average cost of a one-bedroom unit in Ottawa has risen to $2,045/month, or $2,500 for a two-bedroom.
Like Dunn, many Canadians are feeling inspired to expand their horizons when it comes to living arrangements. Tabassum left Bangladesh for Canada 10 years ago, and promised her siblings she'd help them get here, too.When she left Bangladesh for Canada eight years ago, Mehnaz Tabussum promised her siblings she’d help them get here, too. Now, the family of five live, work and travel together. In a video for CBC Ottawa’s Creator Network, they explain why they plan to keep it up, despite sometimes butting heads.