Quality of Life CHALLENGE

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"I lived in my van for a long time. And then I lived in a place that was about the size of two furnace rooms. And then the last place I lived in was great except the people weren't." - Single woman now living in Saanich

"This place, if it was affordable, would be fine. But it's the cost. For someone on a fixed income, I just find it so hard to afford some things. It just drains me…My social life is volunteering. But I would like to go to a movie." -Single widowed woman and former homeowner

More than 22,000 households in BC's Capital Region (1 in every 6 households) are in core housing need, meaning that they cannot find somewhere to live that is in reasonably good condition and is big enough for their household without spending more than 30% of their income.

The vacancy rate in the region is one of the lowest in Canada, at 0% in December 2005 (CMHC).

Housing costs in the Capital Region are among the highest in the country. The average single family home sold for $458,773 in 2005 (CMHC).

The demand for social housing far outweighs the supply and wait lists are growing. Between February 2003 and February 2004 the Capital Region Housing Corporation wait list grew by 160%. For those people who have secured affordable housing, the impact on their lives is often enormous.

The Victoria Cool Aid Society's Homeless Count results indicated there were 700 homeless people in Victoria on January 15, 2005.

The cost of housing impacts all families and especially poor families. Joanne and her husband, Deryl, speak about raising their five year old autistic son, Albert, along with 4 other children in their small rented house,

"I don't think the space is big enough for us, with Albert's equipment. He has equipment we don't use because we don't have room for it. Two of the brothers share a room. And Albert can't stay in that room because of the flying ants – fifty of them in that bedroom. There is a crack under the baseboard where they are settling. Albert sleeps with me because of the ants in his room. Deryl sleeps on the couch."

I am very thankful for the space that I have. We have two bedrooms. Just the space has really helped the quality of our life. It makes us feel good about our family when we can have people over."
-Single First Nations mother living in social housing

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