More affordable housing is needed across the province, and the qathet Regional District says a motion is being put forward to divert funds to support housing for workers in the region.
Since 2023 the district has been authorizing the Powell River Employment Society (PRESS) to receive municipal and regional tax funding to support the expansion of a co-living initiative to provide additional housing for workers in the qathet district.
According to a staff report, over $100,000 was received last year which was used to expand the NEST program from one house to two houses, and another $105,869 will be received this year to expand it even more.
A presentation by Kathleen O’Neil with PRESS shows a report where there is a growing need for housing of workers and with the housing economy outweighing wages, supporting this program is even more critical.
“According to the Powell River Real Estate Board, the average home price increased from $275,532 in 2016 to $465,226 in 2020,” the report says. “This increase in housing price greatly outpaced any increase in wages.
“Rental prices are no longer affordable for many residents, and as a result, housing insecurity and the number of inadequately house and unhoused people is on the rise.”
A research poll from Career Beacon shows the average price to live in Powell River is $3,377 per month (for a single person) who rents, and the average salary earned is still 17 per cent lower than the Canadian average salary of $54,450.
That considers several key factors including average monthly costs for rental housing ($1,477), monthly cost for a driver ($609), and groceries ($519) and utilities ($138).
By enabling more funds into the NEST program, the district says they hope to make the community more viable and having affordable housing can support diverse jobs and wage levels, attract and retain workers, provide long-term economic sustainability and a better quality of life.
