How to solve the problem of housing affordable? With the loss of 80 single residency units over the past two years, Sea to Sky community developer Karen Clarke said affordable housing is now a huge problem.
"There's a huge gap in our housing in Squamish and our group [Housing Options Group] is trying to deal with that gap," said Clarke.
Residents have an opportunity to voice concerns and address housing issues at a forum workshop Friday (June 11) at Howe Sound Brew Pub on Cleveland Avenue.
"We're hoping to put together a group of people who are keen on developing some affordable housing," said Clarke.
The Housing Options Group and B.C. Non-Profit Housing Association is hosting the day, which begins with a forum from 9 a.m. to noon focusing on low income and vulnerable populations in Squamish.
"We've been working on various homeless issues with a number of service providers in the Squamish service area and housing has definitely come up as one of the main concerns," said Clarke.
Participants will learn about successful housing options in other B.C. communities, discuss concerns over the impact of affordable housing, as well as the challenges and opportunities such developments can present.
"The community forum in the morning is about having anybody in the community who's interested come and share ideas and opinions," said Clarke.
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation will then give a 15-minute presentation at noon followed by a complimentary lunch.
Afternoon workshop facilitator Alice Sundberg presents what's involved in developing affordable housing, the elements for success and, through discussion and group work, identify the next steps for the community.
She said there are two major issues facing every B.C. communities.
"One is affordable housing in general, whether it's ownership or rental, a family or an individual," she said. "There are regular folks in every community who find it really challenging to get housing where they're paying less than 30 per cent of their income, which is what the goal of affordable housing is."
According to Sundberg, the other major issue is a community's desire to provide permanent housing, not just temporary homeless shelters.
"Just getting a roof over your head is not always enough to address the issues that many people who become homeless are facing."
To actually begin moving forward, Sundberg said concrete steps must be taken.
Solutions can be attained by identifying potential sites, determining how to access them and securing funding sources.
"We need to get all partners involved and working in the same direction with the same goal in mind," said Sundberg.
Clarke agreed.
"We need funding, we need a developer and we need land. We hope there's some people that have the same ideas as we do about offering affordable housing in Squamish and want to make actions happen," she said.
Sundberg is a housing and community development consultant based in Vancouver, B.C. and she has been involved in social housing advocacy, education and development since 1981.
She has been an adult educator since 1987, facilitating community consultations and workshops, leading strategic planning sessions and delivering co-op and non-profit orientation and training sessions.
Workshop registration is free but those interested must register with Karen Clarke by June 7 and indicate whether they're attending both the community forum and the developing affordable housing workshop or just one. Clarke can be reached at [email protected] or by phone at 604-892-2293 ext. 855.
