Tag Archives: Affordable Housing

Housing, Poverty

Rural Housing Survey 2: Directors first responses

The Strathcona Regional District’s rural directors responded to the Housing Needs Report at the Electoral Areas Services Committee meeting on Wednesday, June 15. 

Sandy Mackay, of M’akola Development Services, gave the Directors a presentation.

“We began earlier this year and continued throughout winter and spring of 2022. The study was extensive. It included a selection of key informant interviews, which I believe almost all of you participated in, as well as a community survey that garnered responses from 437 households. Which is, to be frank, quite remarkable given the size and geographic spread of your regional district,” he began.  

See: Rural Housing Survey: unaffordable rents, vacant houses, Airbnbs

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Housing, Poverty

Rural Housing Survey 1: unaffordable rents, vacant houses, Airbnbs

Forty-five percent (45%) of the respondents renting homes in rural areas say they pay more than they can afford, according to the SRD Electoral Areas Housing Needs Report.

Statistics from the 2016 census support this. 41% of renters and 9% of home owners in the Strathcona Regional District (SRD) paid more than 30% of their income on accommodation. 

“This survey sheds light on an issue that is kind of hidden. People that are living in unstable housing aren’t necessarily telling everyone about it because it can be embarrassing. ‘I can’t afford the right housing,’ or ‘I’m living in an overcrowded place,’ or ‘I’m having to choose between good food or paying my rent,’” said Mark Vonesch from the Cortes Community Housing Society, one of the key stakeholders in this study. 

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Housing

Hot housing fuels labour shortage in Powell River


qathet Living, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

With few –and increasingly expensive – housing options in qathet, it’s little wonder a labor shortage has intensified in recent months.

Throughout the past couple of years, businesses all around town have reported struggling to find staff. The list of job postings continues to grow. March 2022 had 181 jobs posted via Work BC.

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Housing, Poverty

The rural housing and service needs survey

The Strathcona Regional District is in the midst of a 30 day survey of rural housing insecurity and service needs. The Campbell River and District Coalition to end homelessness emailed copies to every Vancouver Island Regional Library in the district. There was a network of volunteers ready to work with them on Cortes Island and individual volunteers on Quadra, but some areas can only be reached through social media. The survey comes to an end on Wednesday, May 11, 2022.

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Food Security, Tourism

Blue Jay Lake Farm welcomes newcomers to rural life and helps address local housing shortage

By Greg Osoba, CKTZ News, through an LJI grant from Canada-info.ca

Blue Jay Lake Farm has been welcoming newcomers to Cortes Island for more than 30 years. The farm seeks workers through the international Worldwide Opportunities On Organic Farms (WWOOF) program, previously known as “Willing Workers On Organic Farms.” Up to 25 “Woofers” per year spend time on the farm.

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