Survey seeks input on housing strategy

The Regional District of Central Okanagan (RDCO) is developing a Regional Housing Strategy (RHS) to look at actions that can address housing issues, needs and gaps throughout the Central Okanagan.

The goal is to develop a coordinated regional approach to address challenges around affordability, supply, and supportive housing.

Residents from all areas of the region are invited to participate by completing an online community survey. They’re encouraged to share their experiences with housing and provide input on housing needs and objectives that will guide development of the strategy.

The survey is available at rdco.com/housing until Feb. 28. To better understand residents’ needs, the survey also includes questions relating to the RDCO’s Central Okanagan Poverty and Wellness Strategy.

The RHS will be developed as a partnership focusing on the entire regional district, to identify a range of actions at the local level specific to market and non-market housing. The strategy includes the two electoral areas, District of Peachland, City of West Kelowna, City of Kelowna, District of Lake Country, Westbank First Nation, and Okanagan Indian Band.

“The Central Okanagan is one of the fastest growing regions in the province. Housing gaps exist because of a lack of suitable and affordable housing to meet local needs,” said RDCO community services director Todd Cashin. “Factors affecting this include high construction costs, aging housing, historically low rental vacancy rates, short-stay accommodations, an increase in demand, and a growing gap between what households can afford and the average cost of renting or home ownership.”

Cashin added other factors such as an ageing population, the COVID-19 pandemic, and inflation have also increased the need for additional market and non-market housing.

For more information on the Regional Housing Strategy or to get involved in its development, visit rdco.com/housing.