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April 04, 2018 - 5:09 PM
KAMLOOPS - A big reason housing affordability is a crisis in British Columbia is partially due to the previous government not making the issue a priority on their list, according to Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, Selina Robinson.
The MLA for Coquitlam-Maillardville made her way to Kamloops today, April 4, to speak at a Kamloops Chamber of Commerce luncheon. The main topic on the table was the recent 30-point housing plan brought forward by the provincial government to help with the housing affordability in the province.
“We have been hearing that life has been getting harder,” Robinson says. “Housing affordability affects everyone, the past local government ignored this issue for too long.”
Housing affordability has been an issue throughout the entire province for a couple years, Robinson says. In Kamloops the vacancy rate fluctuated from 1.1 per cent to 1.2 per cent according to a 2017 report from Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation. The report also says the vacancy rate should stay around four per cent to be considered in good shape.
Robinson says leaders need to focus on partnerships with various organizations to focus on repairing the current housing and renting market. She says many vulnerable groups are in a situation where they compromise their health to keep a roof over their head.
“There are seniors taking their medication every other day, just so they afford to pay rent,” Robinson says. “We can’t fix it overnight but we can act now and plan for a better future.”
The 30-point plan is the largest investment in housing affordability in B.C. history. According to the MLA the plan has been set into place to help bring affordable and available housing to people all over the province.
B.C. provincial officials have budgeted $7 billion to create housing for students, homeless youth, seniors, buyers and renters in Kamloops and throughout the province.
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