National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
One senior spoke about the anxiety she feels not having a family doctor after losing four in the past eight years.
Another, the president of the local seniors centre, asked what she should tell a woman in her 80s crying on the phone because she’s got nowhere to live and is reduced to the indignity of couch-surfing with friends after a lifetime of paying taxes.
Continue reading With no place to live, some B.C. seniors are couch-surfing
By Melissa Renwick, Ha-Shilth-Sa, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Tofino, BC – Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation is calling upon regional leaders on Vancouver Island’s west coast to come together to tackle the issue of affordable housing in the region.
One consequence of the housing crisis is that Tla-o-qui-aht members have lost the ability to return to live in their homelands, read a release issued by Tla-o-qui-aht’s ha’wiih (hereditary chiefs) and elected council on July 4.
Continue reading Tla-o-qui-aht calls on regional leaders to address west coast housing crisis
Sandy MacKay, of M’akola Development Services, presented the Electoral Areas Housing needs Report to the SRD Board on Wednesday.
See: Rural Housing Survey 1: unaffordable rents, vacant houses, Airbnbs
“Collectively working with federal provincial entities and advocating for more non-market housing, will be key to reducing the gap between what people can afford and what is available in your markets. Non-market housing tends to be dedicated, affordable, and appropriate. It usually takes on the form of something called secured affordable housing, which is secured at an affordable rate in perpetuity, typically funded by senior government and operated by a non-profit,” he explained.
Continue reading Rural Housing Survey 3: The key to addressing rural housing needsMany of you have probably seen the real estate ads on the Tideline. Two significant parcels of land are being sold as part of a much larger vision. Cortes Community Housing intends to have the Rainbow Ridge project ‘shovel ready’ for funding by 2023.
Continue reading Property Sales: Getting Rainbow Ridge ‘Shovel Ready’ for the next phase
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
Continue reading Rural Housing Survey 2: Directors first responses
