The Strathcona Regional District wants to get into the housing market, to help seniors and people needing affordable homes.
Earlier this month the district board gave consent to seek the approval of electors to set up a regional housing service.
Aniko Nelson, Senior Manager of Community Services for the Strathcona Regional District, says its first priority will be to create workplace housing for health care professionals. It will also look at building homes on the Islands and in rural regions, where the housing market is tight.
“There’s been a huge focus on Quadra and Cortez for affordable housing and seniors housing projects. Area D is very aware of the need for affordable housing,” she says. “They are keenly awaiting the implementation of this service because they know that their residents are waiting for the support.”
The service will be funded through a $6 million credit line, helping fund projects and secure other government funding. The proposal is currently before the Inspector of Municipalities, who is expected to approve it sometime sometime in October for further consideration by the Board.
Once it’s back before the regional district, plans for the service will go to the alternative approval process, which means unless a certain number of voters formally register their opposition, it will go ahead.
Key attributes of the proposed regional housing service include:
- The service could be used to invest in workforce housing, seniors housing, affordable (social) housing and others.
- The service would apply throughout the SRD to be used only where there is a need.
- The anticipated return on investment would be unique to each project and would be assessed before public funds are committed.
- The SRD would not automatically borrow capital funds or go into debt, but the borrowing authority would provide a source of capital when and if needed.
- The SRD could enter into agreements with housing societies and other entities to develop housing solutions that are customized to community needs and conditions.
The participating areas for the service are the City of Campbell River, Village of Gold River, Village of Sayward, Village of Tahsis, Village of Zeballos, Ka:’yu:’k’t’h’/Che:k’tles7et’h’ First Nations, Electoral Area A (Kyuquot/Nootka-Sayward), Electoral Area B (Cortes Island), Electoral Area C (Discovery Islands-Mainland Inlets) and Electoral Area D (Oyster BayButtle Lake).
Additional information about the proposed regional housing service can be found on the Strathcona Regional District website.
