Sustainable Communities
Inclusive - Green - Diverse
We work with regional and municipal governments, community partners, and businesses to improve proactive sustainability planning that integrates social, economic, and environmental considerations and meet the needs of families and children, particularly those that are most vulnerable.
Sustainable solutions for our region
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Access, Climate, Economic Security
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SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES PUBLICATIONS
Climate change affects everyone, but its impacts are not experienced equally. Climate Equity by Design: Saanich explores how climate change is shaping the daily lives of equity-deserving communities in Saanich, drawing on community engagement and an equity-focused analysis of the District’s Climate Plan Update Survey. The report examines people’s experiences with climate impacts, their ability … Read more
The 2024-2025 CSPC Impact Report highlights a year of meaningful progress toward building a more equitable and inclusive Greater Victoria. Through a blend of community-based research, hands-on services, and cross-sector collaboration, the Community Social Planning Council continued its 90-year legacy of addressing poverty, housing instability, climate vulnerability, and social inequality. This year’s work reflects CSPC’s … Read more
Climate Change and Climate Equity: What We Heard – Climate Impacts, Adaptation, and Resilience in Victoria explores how climate change affects equity-deserving communities across the city and how inclusive planning can strengthen resilience for everyone. Led by the Community Social Planning Council (CSPC) in partnership with the City of Victoria, the two-year Climate Equity by … Read more
The purpose of this guide is to review existing climate adaptation plans to a) identify gaps in addressing the needs of vulnerable populations, and b) identify best practices for integrating equity dimensions in climate adaptation plans at the municipal level. Equity-driven Best Practices in Climate Adaptation Guide
Since its launch, the B.C. Rent Bank has played a critical role in helping individuals and families avoid eviction during financial crises by providing short-term, interest-free loans to cover rent. The 2025 Impact Report offers a compelling snapshot of how this program has performed in the past year. Through a combination of quantitative data and … Read more
The cost of rental housing has become unaffordable for a growing number of renters in British Columbia. Rent Banks have existed in BC since around 2010. In 2019, the province established B.C. Rent Bank to help prevent eviction for renter households with low-moderate incomes at imminent risk of losing their housing due to a temporary … Read more
The Community Social Planning Council of Greater Victoria (CSPC), in partnership with United Way Southern Vancouver Island, BC Living Wage, and the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, has released the 2024 Living Wage for Greater Victoria. This figure represents the hourly wage required for two working parents with two young children to meet their basic expenses, including housing, food, transportation, and … Read more
Take a comprehensive look at how the Community Social Planning Council, in collaboration with the Vancouver Foundation, UVic, Royal Roads, and several other regional organizations, developed the Transportation ACES (Access, Climate, and Economic Security) project. A regionally focused framework which brought together individuals and organizations with expertise in climate, transportation, and equity, to develop ideas on … Read more
As we navigate in an era marked by a nation-wide housing crisis, all levels of government are under pressure to address the challenge, although local governments are on the front lines. Municipalities also hold a pivotal role in orchestrating the changes needed to address the affordability challenges facing Canadian cities. This toolkit outlines the many … Read more
Dive into the latest insights from the report on e-mobility policy tools and strategies for local governments! This comprehensive study explores how provinces and municipalities can boost e-mobility adoption while focusing on climate action and economic equity. Discover policy options and considerations shaped by community engagement, paving the way for a greener, more inclusive future. … Read more