The mayor of Wilmot Township says she cannot afford a home in her own township

Wilmot Mayor Natasha Salonen said she cannot afford a home, despite making a healthy yearly salary.

Salonen, 28, was first elected as Wilmot’s mayor last fall. Between her duties on Wilmot Council, she is also a regional councilor and sits on the board of Anova and the Grand River Conservation Authority. In a year, she makes around $90,000.

“I found it very interesting being around decision making tables that I am the only mayor in the region who does not own their own home,” said Salonen.

Some issues she has been inside the township include over bidding, with some houses going over $200,000 above asking price.

She has seen people in her generation having to move out of the region to places like Woodstock due to high prices. She says also seeing people having to change their lifestyles due to not being able to afford a home.

“I do know it’s something we need to start talking about and stop blaming our generation’s lattes and avocadoes for why we don’t have a home,” she said.

According the Waterloo Region Association of Realtors, the average price for a home in Waterloo Region in July was just under $800,000. In Wilmot Township, the average home sold for $916,167, up eight per cent from last year.