Welcome to our Blog!
Keep checking back on updates on the council and your community!
The critical role of social planning in creating sustainable and vibrant communities cannot be overstated. As such, I am pleased to share important updates from the Community Social Planning Council (CSPC) regarding our efforts towards achieving more just and equitable communities in Greater Victoria. Our recent activities include addressing issues related to homelessness, gender equity, … Read more
Women in the Capital Regional District (CRD) continue to earn less than men. The gap is even larger for visible minority women and women with diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds. Women annually earn between 30 and 85 cents for each dollar a white man earns. The gender pay gap is a widely recognized indicator of … Read more
This year’s Family Day Factsheet highlights inflation pressures, cost of living, and housing as top issues. Family Day is a day that allows us to be together, celebrate one another and embrace all that is good about those who enrich our lives. But, did you know that 1 in 15 families living in the Greater … Read more
As the living wage soars, 1 in 11 families in Greater Victoria are considered low-income. Even more alarming is the fact that over 14% of local children are living in poverty, according to a recent study by the CSPC. We believe that an equitable, sustainable, and affordable Greater Victoria is in reach, but is only … Read more
Community Council report spotlights the need for affordability targets as David Eby announces B.C. affordable housing plan GREATER VICTORIA: The Community social planning Council is pleased to see action provincially on housing. The announcement of the move towards setting housing targets is welcome but there has been no mention of how affordability will be part … Read more
The Living Wage is the hourly wage that two working parents with two young children must each earn to meet their basic expenses (including rent, child-care, medical needs, food, and transportation), once government taxes, credits, deductions and subsidies have been taken into account. The Living Wage for our region is calculated annually by the Community … Read more
What is affordable? What can municipalities and the non-profit sector do to help achieve affordability? Housing affordability has been out of reach for many people living in our communities for a substantial period of time. A change to the status quo is necessary in order to develop a healthy economy where housing serves as a … Read more
WATCH THE RECORDING HERE In a push to increase housing supply, tenant displacement, increased rental costs, and decreased access are often unintended consequences. However, local governments can implement policies that help to minimize these negative effects. This event was part of the CSPC’s continuing dialogue on Housing Affordability and was co-hosted by Livable Victoria. The … Read more
On September 20th, 2022, Climate Equity team members Lorenzo Magzul and Chelsea Power had the opportunity to speak to the BC Poverty Reduction Community of Practice. The CoP meets monthly to learn from each other, to enable professional self-development, and to build capacities of their local poverty reduction initiatives. You can view the presentation as … Read more
In a push to increase housing supply, tenant displacement, increased rental costs, and decreased access are often unintended consequences. However, local governments can implement policies that help to minimize these negative effects. Join us from 12-1:30pm PST on September 28th for a solutions-based conversation. This is a chance for you to have your ideas heard … Read more
Piloting the HART Method in Greater Victoria What is affordable? Affordable for whom? When is affordability not enough? These questions are at the core of housing needs assessments that allow governments to meet the housing needs of everyone in the region. The HART Method, developed by UBC’s Housing Research Collaborative, offers an approach to determining … Read more
On August 4, The Community Social Planning Council share this presentaiton to Victoria Council, highlighting support for the Missing Middle Housing Initiative in Victoria. Here are three key points of the Missing Middle Housing Initiative: This initiative will increase housing supply in terms of sheer numbers and housing type options. Increased density has a positive … Read more