As B.C.B次元官网网址檚 municipal elections quickly approach, Vancouver Island non-profit housing providers are asking local governments to step up their role in tackling a dire affordability crisis.

Leaders on behalf of 14 non-profit housing organizations on the Island released six calls to action for municipalities on Thursday (Sept. 22).

B次元官网网址淭he lack of affordable housing that we have in British Columbia B次元官网网址� and especially here in the Capital Regional District B次元官网网址� is impacting our communityB次元官网网址檚 well-being and health. But itB次元官网网址檚 also impacting our economy and our businesses,B次元官网网址� said Virginia Holden, executive director of the Greater Victoria Housing Society. B次元官网网址淲hat this means on the ground is that we have seniors living in precarious situations, women and children fleeing violence for lack of affordable homes, businesses that canB次元官网网址檛 find people to work and young people and newcomers who canB次元官网网址檛 find places that they can afford.B次元官网网址�

The organizations, together under the banner of the Vancouver Island Housing Leadership Network, oversee more than 6,000 housing units throughout the Island and more than 1,000 additional ones in pre-development or under construction.

TheyB次元官网网址檙e calling on all candidates for municipal office to seriously consider the calls to action, which include establishing a separate housing centre in each municipality, unlocking access to municipal land, implementing financial exemptions for non-profit developers, promote collaboration with organizations and access collective expertise.

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The primary objective of issuing the joint list of calls to action is to bolster housing supply to keep up with rapidly growing demand.

B次元官网网址淭he reality is that we cannot achieve affordable housing and affordable communities without new supply,B次元官网网址� Holden added. B次元官网网址淎nd this means supply of all types and all over the housing spectrum, from new forms of home ownership like townhouses and duplexes, to rental and supportive housing. Research shows that we are losing five units of affordable rental housing in B.C. for every one unit of government-supported housing being built.B次元官网网址�

Among the chief barriers preventing non-profit developers from creating supply are high land costs, stigma against low-income housing, long permit application processes and loads of red tape B次元官网网址� all of which municipal governments could have a hand in lowering.

But even if municipalities were to implement all six calls, the solution wonB次元官网网址檛 be simple, nor will the issue be resolved overnight, said Carolina Ibarra, chief executive officer of Pacifica Housing.

B次元官网网址淪omehow housing needs to be built because having people on the streets is not an alternative.B次元官网网址�

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