“Sarah”, Social Worker

Housing affordability in Toronto has had a profound impact on my life, shaping not only my financial reality but also my sense of stability, belonging, and future outlook. As a manager of a social work program at a large community service agency in Toronto, I am deeply committed to the work I do—supporting individuals and families facing financial insecurity. However, despite working in this field for over nine years, my salary has not kept pace with the skyrocketing cost of living, making homeownership an impossibility and even renting a growing challenge. If anything, my salary has only increased enough to cover my basic needs because I sought out new roles every few years to boost my income. Had I stayed in my original frontline full-time role—which I loved—I would have had to take on a second job just to make ends meet.

I am single with no children, but I financially support my aging parents who are on a fixed income, which adds another layer of financial strain. With rising rent, basic necessities, and the lack of government rent control, I often question how sustainable it is to continue living and working in Toronto. The reality is that the work I do—like much of the nonprofit sector—is underfunded and relies heavily on the dedication of employees rather than adequate compensation. I could move into a higher-paid sector, like healthcare, but the work I do is critical, and I believe in its importance. Yet, the precarity of funding and the lack of long-term stability in the sector make it difficult to envision a secure future here.

Housing unaffordability has made it harder to feel a sense of belonging in my own city. The thought of being able to set down roots—let alone afford a home—is out of reach. It also affects my well-being and ability to fully participate in community life. The idea of moving elsewhere, where I could afford a decent quality of life and actually enjoy life outside of work, is something I seriously consider. Ironically, that could make me a better employee—less financially stressed, more rested, and more present in my work.

The housing crisis in Toronto isn’t just a personal struggle; it’s a systemic failure that directly impacts the workforce sustaining vital social services. Without meaningful policy change—such as stronger rent controls and significantly more affordable housing—many of us will be forced to either leave the city or shift to higher-paying industries, despite our passion and expertise for community work.