Secondary suites may be legal in Campbell River soon.
The city has passed the first reading of a bylaw that will legalize secondary suites. The Campbell River and District Coalition to End Homelessness says it supports the proposed changes.
CRDCEH coordinator Kristi Schwanicke says single family homes in the city tend to be lived in by one or two people and since the majority of the housing stock in Campbell River is single family homes, the change will increase affordable housing.
“The coalition is really supportive of the legalization of secondary suites, just to increase the vacancy rates in our city. Currently, we’re sitting at .5% and really, (it) will create more opportunity for housing for people who live here or who relocate to this community,” Schwanicke said.
She adds once more housing is available and more affordable, this will trickle down to those experiencing homelessness. This can give them an opportunity to actually be able to get into housing.
“But also people who are generally looking to rent in our community or who are renting at this time… it also supports property owners in supplementing mortgages and we know prices have really increased in the city, so there’s really mutual benefit all around.”
The CRDCEH and the Strathcona Community Health Network published four major findings about what Campbell River residents want when it comes to housing:
- More affordable housing to rent and to own
- Greater diversity in housing types, such as townhouses, tiny homes, and apartments
- Better regulation to encourage affordable and diverse housing
- More infill and density with access to transport networks and amenities.
The CRDCEH says legalizing secondary suites will address each of those concerns as it gives more options for those buying or renting, it increases housing diversity, encourages densification, and shows the city is willing to use regulation to encourage more affordable and diverse housing.
