Tag Archives: Seniors

Housing, Politics

How Marc Doll wants to tackle the housing crisis in Area C

In the second of a series of articles outlining what he would like to bring to Area C if elected Regional Director, Marc Doll spoke about tackling the housing crisis.

He began by pointing out the solutions are not easy. 

“The principle that I’m standing on is that one person, me or anybody else holding the Regional Director position, isn’t in a place to be able to say, ‘okay, this is what we want to fight for.’ Whether it be a vacancy tax, some type of licensing for Airbnbs, or how we approach development, these decisions are more complicated than  any one person sitting on a small committee can come to any conclusion on. Every one of these examples has a downside,” explained Doll.

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Health, Housing, Poverty

With no place to live, some B.C. seniors are couch-surfing

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. 

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Housing, Poverty

Rural Housing Survey 3: The key to addressing rural housing needs 

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.

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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, Indigenous Nations

Elder housing breaks ground in a west coast First Nation

qathet Living, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

After 30 years of effort and planning, Tla’amin Nation has secured an 8.8 million dollar Federal fund for the brand new independent Elder and disability housing project, ƛaχƛaχay ʔaye (Klah-Klah-Xay Ayeh).

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