A series of events has been planned to address housing during this year’s municipal elections, including a Community Dialogue on Housing later this month and two all-candidates meetings in October.
The events are being hosted by Sunshine Coast Community Services (SCCSS) in partnership with Sunshine Coast Community Foundation, Sunshine Coast Affordable Housing Society and One Straw Society.
The first part of the series is a candidates-only session where they are invited to meet with housing planners to discuss what other locaI governments in B.C. have done to address housing availability and affordability.
To engage community members on the issue of housing, a Community Dialogue on Housing is set for Thursday, Sept. 20 from 5 to 8 p.m. at Roberts Creek Hall. This event, in partnership with Vancouver Coastal Health, is to bring members of the community together to learn more about the role government can play in housing, how housing issues impact the health of the community, and how to develop questions for candidates about housing. The event is free and all are welcome; however, RSVP is required by calling 604-885-5881.
Finally, a pair of all-candidates meetings with a focus on housing will be held in Sechelt and Gibsons to give candidates a chance to share their visions of coastal housing and answer questions from the community. Both meetings will have a casual reception following the meeting to give members of the community time to chat with the candidates and enjoy refreshments.
The District of Sechelt all-candidates meeting will be at the Sechelt Indian Band Hall on Tuesday, Oct. 2 from 6 to 8 p.m. The Town of Gibsons all-candidates meeting will be on Thursday, Oct. 4 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Gibsons Public Market (473 Gower Point Road).
In March, Sunshine Coast residents participated in a forum that led to the Sunshine Coast Poverty Reduction Report and the lack of access to affordable housing was the top issue brought up by community members as a contributor to coastal poverty.
