Tag Archives: Affordable Housing

Politics, Poverty

Low income families: don’t expect radical reforms from the NDP

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“the Pulse” @ Vancouver Co-Op Radio, CRFO 100.5 FM, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter and rebroadcast over the Oct 30, 2020 edition of Cortes Currents.

Although Premier Horgan’s $10-a-day childcare pledge would be a game-changer for many, Simon Fraser University’s Stewart Prest said other important issues — renters rights, welfare rates, homelessness and drug laws — got sideswiped off the election campaign stage by COVID-19. The political scientist in Vancouver said people hopeful for radical reforms from the newly elected B.C. New Democrat majority government should probably brace for some disappointment.

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Housing

Renters need more protections

“the Pulse” @ Vancouver Co-Op Radio, CRFO 100.5 FM, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Legal advocate with Tenants Resource and Advisory Centre says renters need more protections during pandemic crisis, but says one of Premier John Horgan‘s few promises will be far from effective.

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Development, Housing

Rainbow Ridge Rezoning Hearing

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This program was funded by a grant from the Community Radio Fund of Canada and the Government of Canada’s Local Journalism Initiative. 

The Rainbow Ridge Rezoning Hearing was held this Thursday October 15, 2020, at 2 p.m., six months after it’s originally scheduled date, which was postponed due to COVID19. In question was the rezoning of a 2.45-hectare portion of the 20.75-hectare Rainbow Ridge property. The public hearing involved an in-person option, a phone-in options, and a livestream option: to ensure numerous options for the public while maintaining public safety protocols. There were three Strathcona Regional District staff in person at Manson’s Hall. The rest of the SRD staff and the four rural directors joined virtually, this included alternate director Corry Dow sitting in for Noba Anderson for Cortes Island.

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Finances, Housing

Election 2020: the affordable rental crisis

A quarter of a million British Columbians pay more than 30% of their income for rent. The statistics are worse on Cortes Island, where it applies to almost half of the tenants, and improves the closer you get to Campbell River. In response to the COVID crisis, the NDP Government provided a rental supplement of between $300 and $500 a month, but that ended on August 31st. The Green party just announced they would earmark $500 million for rental relief, and prioritize funding people who pay more than 30% of their income – but it is extremely unlikely the Greens will form the next government. So what do the candidates in our riding have to say about the affordable rental crisis? 

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Development, Housing, Poverty

Finding Home: Options and Challenges

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This article is the first in a three part podcast series called Finding Home.

The first podcast features Sandra Wood and Ian Scott discussing the options and challenges for creating affordable housing that they have encountered in pursuing the creation of four affordable rental units for seniors and 20 units for all ages on Cortes. That podcast is almost two hours long and includes a number of questions and answers from local community members. Please listen to the podcast for more in-depth explanation of the Seniors Village expansion and the Rainbow Ridge project. 

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