Local Government Levers for Housing Affordability

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 levers within municipal control that can significantly influence housing supply and affordability.

This toolkit is intended to help local governments across Canada, big and small, to understand and utilize all of the tools available to improve housing affordability by:

• providing an overview of tools and their municipal context;
• identifying success factors and key considerations for each of the tools; and
• sharing case studies and best practices that highlight successes in implementing the tools in a range of municipal contexts and for a diversity of housing types.

The optimal use of these municipal tools can change the trajectory of our current housing situation, creating a better future for housing availability and affordability.

Read The Toolkit

E-mobility ACES – Access, Climate and Economic Security

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 The Report

Tenant Assistance Policy (TAP) Regional Collaboration Study: Project Report

Empowering Communities: The TAP Regional Collaboration Study

The initiation of the Tenant Assistance Policy (TAP) Regional Collaboration Study marks a significant effort towards enhancing support for tenants amidst redevelopment challenges. This collaborative project, driven by insights from communities in Victoria, Saanich, Colwood, Langford, Esquimalt, and Oak Bay under the Regional Household Affordability and Prosperity Project (RHAP), aims to streamline and strengthen TAP while addressing critical service gaps.

In partnership with the Community Social Planning Council (CSPC), RHAP fosters cooperation among municipalities to exchange best practices in housing affordability. Through ongoing research on housing and homelessness, this initiative seeks to raise awareness and drive positive change in local communities.

Explore how the TAP Regional Collaboration Study is shaping the future of tenant support and housing policy.

Read The Report

Driving Change: BC Rent Bank’s Impact Report

As the BC Rent Bank program marks its fifth year since inception in 2019, it celebrates a remarkable evolution from a localized initiative to a seamlessly integrated provincial network of support. This past year has been pivotal, showcasing the program’s ability to expand its scope and offer diverse forms of assistance crucial for enhancing renters’ long-term resilience.

Discover the comprehensive insights and transformative outcomes achieved over the last 12 months in the BC Rent Bank 2023-24 Impact Report.

Read the Report

BC Rent Bank Q1 Report (April 1, 2024 – June 30, 2024)

There is always a sense of accomplishment when significant projects are completed, and the BC Rent Bank program’s recent branding overhaul and website launch are perfect examples. The program is excited about its new look and hopes that the updated website offers a more user-friendly experience. Additionally, the introduction of a demographic survey and automated surveys represents a meaningful advancement in data collection.

Recent trends indicate a rising demand for rent bank services year over year. Over the past year, the approval rate among rent banks increased by 27%, marking a 3% rise from the previous year, while the dollar value of loans continues to grow. Impressively, the repayment rate has remained consistent over the past two years. With the promising indicators from Q1, the program is poised for an unprecedented year in supporting renters.

Read the Q1 Report

The Power of Partnerships in Transforming Regional Childcare

As part of the Regional Housing Affordability and Prosperity Project (RHAP), the Community
Social Planning Council of Greater Victoria, in collaboration with the Urban Development
Institute and RHAP municipalities (Victoria, Colwood, Langford, Esquimalt, and Saanich),
organized an event focused on informing and incentivizing the development of affordable, high-quality,
and inclusive childcare through the ChildCareBC New Spaces Fund.

Check out the Event Backgrounder

Building Resilient Communities: Climate Adaptation in Victoria

Invitation to Building Resilient Communities: Climate Adaptation in Victoria

The event is FREE!

Date: June 6th, 2024

Time: 5:00 PM – 7:30 PM

Location: Ambrosia Banquets & Events, 638 Fisgard Street, Victoria, BC

Join the Community Social Planning Council, climate experts and community members for an evening of learning, conversation, and good food on June 6th. Speakers from the Pacific Climate Impacts Consortium, First Nations, and the City of Victoria will share climate projections for Victoria and how communities can be ready to adapt. We’ll share a meal, then have breakout conversations to hear your thoughts and concerns about climate change, and what would help community members build resilience.
This event is part of the Climate Equity by Design project led by the Community Social Planning Council, which will inform the City of Victoria’s forthcoming Climate Change Adaptation Plan to ensure that adaptation strategies are tailored to the unique needs of the community and based on the lived experience of those who are most at risk from the impacts of climate change. The CEbD project focuses on low-income, IBPOC (Indigenous, Black, and People of Color), 2SLGBTQ+ individuals and households, Indigenous communities and racialized minorities to ensure that adaptation planning in Victoria is reflective of their expressed needs, perceptions and capacity.
Please join us to share your thoughts and connect with others around resilience!
Here is the link to the Eventbrite for the June 6th event.

Family Day Factsheet: No Family Left Behind 2024

As part of the Happiness and Wellbeing Lab project, the United Way South Vancouver Island and Community Council release an annual family day fact sheet. The fact sheet brings awareness that even though we may all be in the same storm, we are not all in the same boat. As we celebrate this BC Family Day, let's make sure that No Family Gets Left Behind.

Read The Report

Whole of Community System Response to Health and Homelessness

The Community Social Planning Council of Greater Victoria hosted a nation-wide webinar on January 19th, 2024 to discuss and learn about a whole systems response model to address homelessness in London, Ontario. This response is the first of its kind in Canada, offering comprehensive services to help the most marginalized unhoused Londoners move safely indoors, stabilize, access supports, and become sustainably housed. Learn more about this whole of community system response below.

Read The Report

Uytae Lee Takes on Victoria!

We were delighted to convene our Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the Victoria Event Centre on January 23, 2024, where we had the privilege of engaging in a discussion with Uytae Lee about various aspects of urban living.

We began the evening with an entertaining round of Victoria trivia. Following this, we delved into Uytae's presentation, during which he tackled the challenges of urbanism in the face of increasing polarization. Uytae underscored the significance of efficient and effective communication in navigating these challenges.

He passionately encouraged others to remain steadfast in their commitment to enhancing our cities, making them inclusive and vibrant spaces for all residents to live and thrive.

Check out some pictures from the event below!