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CHA wants to see federal, provincial housing dollars come to Cowichan

No new housing investments in the CVRD by senior levels of government for well over a decade.
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CHA wants to see federal, provincial housing dollars come to Cowichan

Housing is important to everyone. It impacts many aspects of our lives. The quality and availability of appropriate housing has an effect on our general well-being, health, educational and employment outcomes. Housing is an essential element in the economic development infrastructure.

Housing or the lack of appropriate housing is one of the major concerns in the Cowichan Valley. The region is relatively small in population and its local housing markets are inter-dependent. Housing proponents and providers for lower and moderate income households are small and lack the capacity to adequately advocate and apply for provincial and federal housing funding. Even with the substantial amount of funding available from provincial and federal sources, there has been no new housing investments in the CVRD by senior levels of government for well over a decade.

Community based housing is the most effective way to tackle housing issues and provide solutions. This fact is recognized by both the provincial and federal governments. They look to partner with communities to provide their own housing solutions. Unfortunately, they offer no core funding to support community/regional organizations. Partnerships also means that communities/regions must be willing to invest in these solutions through adequate planning and financial contributions.

It only makes sense then to take a regional, coordinated approach to housing and invest in local solutions. The Cowichan Housing Association and its many community based partner organizations and private market partners have recognized the need for a coordinated and consolidated approach. The CHA over the past several years has developed into the backbone organization for this approach.

The Cowichan Housing Association is well positioned to take on the task of supporting community based housing solutions and advocating for senior level government investments in the CVRD.

The core funding of CHA came from the Island Health Homelessness Prevention Fund via CVRD. CHA received about $315,000 in June 2015 and three years later (by April 2018) had spent $180,000 of that core funding and leveraged another nearly $300,000 through federal grants. It was spent on developing a regional partnership structure, emergency rental subsidies, tenant and landlord education, and housing information and referral. CHA has helped over 500 individuals and families so far, including those who are homeless or precariously housed.

The CHA has been building connections to increase housing and housing support. CHA is a regional backbone organization increasing collaboration and a system of support to build capacity in the community. We are working with community partners to build a Housing Coalition that brings together the community based service organizations, health organizations and private market interests necessary to address the diverse parts of the housing and supports system.

The CHA has developed a comprehensive database for understanding supply and documenting the need for housing and supports. In the last year alone, we received approximately 100 requests for research, data, and updated information on housing policy. This data allows us meet the rigorous application process and to build an evidence-based business case for leveraging funding for projects.

Working with community partners, we led and developed a Regional Housing First for Youth plan and began implementation of four youth housing project priorities: respite, shelter, transitional housing, and permanent supported housing. CHA developed a business case for a Housing Trust fund for the Cowichan region. And this year, we are developing a Regional Attainable Housing Strategy that will put in place a solid action plan for setting regional priorities and coordinating and implementing housing actions in a smart way, with financially sustainable and building sustainable communities.

The federal and provincial governments are subsidizing affordable housing in response to the housing crises across the country. The CHA wants to see the Cowichan Valley benefit from that rather than have that help go instead to other, more prepared communities. The referendum question on housing in our local election is an opportunity for the Cowichan to receive those benefits. The solutions require a community effort. Everyone needs a home.

The Cowichan Housing Association believes in public accountability and transparency. Questions and more information about the CHA can be at our website (www.cowichanhousing.com).

Board of directors

Cowichan Housing Association