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Reducing Costs of Living
The high cost of housing (both purchased and rental) coupled with low paying jobs is a disturbing trend that is undermining the vibrancy of our region and resulting in the expansion of the working poor and further economic and social deterioration.
Related Documents
- Farmworker Housing: Policy Review
- What do landlords recommend? Successfully housing people struggling with mental health or addiction
- Workforce Housing: General information plus strategies for employers
- Child Care Information Action Project: Report on Child Care in BC's Capital Region
- BC Transit Ticket Assistance Program 2009 Report to the Victoria Regional Transit Commission
Employees are squeezed between sky-rocketing housing costs, expensive and difficult to find child care, and low wages, resulting in an expansion of the Capital Region’s working poor and the number of people who are homeless or unstably housed. Young people and families with children continue to leave the region, school closures have become commonplace and the average age of our population continues to grow.
The most typical family in this region is a two parent family (84% of all families). 41% of the two parent families have children living at home. Based on annual estimates for census families and individuals (Statistics Canada, 2005), in BC’s Capital Region, 27.2% of two-parent, two-children families earn an income that is less than the Living Wage.
Families face increasing challenges related to housing. Between 2006 and 2007, rents increased at a rate above the rate of inflation. Although the population of the region is increasing, the rental housing stock is decreasing. The problem is particularly acute for families looking for three bedroom apartments.
Quality of Life CHALLENGE partners are working together to generate long-lasting solutions that prevent and reduce poverty in BC’s Capital Region.
REDUCE COSTS OF LIVING through
- ENGAGING COMMUNITY: Engage citizens and neighbourhoods to support initiatives that make housing, childcare, transportation and food more affordable.
- INFLUENCING POLICY: Explore and provide information to policy-makers about policy alternatives that could reduce the costs of living, especially for those on low and limited incomes.
Key Activities:
- Workforce Housing Strategy
- Capital Region Policy Roundtable on Poverty Prevention and Reduction
- Connecting with landlords in the region to hear what they are doing to help improve quality of life and reduce costs of living for their tenants
