The Comox Valley Regional District will present the findings of a housing needs assessment at a community forum April 1.
The provincially-mandated Regional Housing Survey — which has closed — considers supply, demand and provision of housing across the spectrum in the municipalities and rural areas. Information from a large number of responses will be used to inform the drafting of a Housing Needs Assessment report.
In a related matter, the district has applied to the Union of B.C. Municipalities for a $150,000 grant to develop a regional poverty reduction action plan focused on housing affordability, children and youth, transportation, accessibility and food security.
If the funding comes through, a poverty reduction strategy could serve as the “next step” tool to identify key actions and players in improving housing affordability, said Alana Mullaly, the CVRD’s senior manager of sustainability and Regional Growth Strategy planning.
Before the forum, draft reports of the assessment will be presented to elected officials in Courtenay, Comox and Cumberland, and to those who serve on the CVRD electoral areas services committee.
The forum will be held at the CVRD Civic Room at 770 Harmston Ave. in Courtenay.
FMI: www.comoxvalleyrd.ca/housingneeds