Regional Household Affordability & Prosperity Project - Community Social Planning Council

About the Community Council

• Economic Justice
• Housing Affordability
• Community Innovation
• Climate Equity

Regional Housing and Prosperity (RHAP)

This project builds on the existing base of housing needs reports, recovery and prosperity strategies and indexes to bring the focus onto housing poverty and pathways to affordability.

• Supports economic development
• Community of practice around municipal action for housing affordability.
• Profile local challenges around housing poverty and housing affordability solutions.

Councillor Learning Session: Municipal Levers for Housing Affordability

• December 5, 2022 — University of Victoria
• March 6, 2023 — Olympic View Golf Club

We are moving to phase 2

How we are Making a Difference

• Lead and Host: City of Colwood
• Municipal partners: Victoria, Saanich
• Increasing Community engagement with municipal, business, community partners & members
• Compiling local policy practices & shared learnings.
• Sharing local & global best practices
• Profiling housing poverty & vulnerability

Greater Victoria Rent Bank

Short term financial assistance to households at risk of eviction for reasons such as non- payment of rent or essential utilities (max $ 3000 per household).

• Interest-free, low-fee loans
• Advocacy and referral services
• Support in a time of crisis

Program outcomes and notes

• $ 503,966 LOANS distributed
• 258 households supported
• 320 households distributed to $ 750,000 GRANTS

On average, applicants were spending over 60% of their income on rent and basic utilities.

Client benefits included:

• Avoiding eviction

• Maintaining essential utility service

• Referrals to other community resources

• Data from January 1, 2022 to December 31, 2022

• Program currently ongoing

Additional client benefits (from earlier program):

• Avoiding eviction

• Maintaining essential utility service

• Grocery cards to help buying good food

• Support moving to new housing

• Referrals to other community resources

• Program ended March 31, 2022

Notes:

• In budget sustaining funding is needed to continue Rent Bank operations
• Over 2000 households received service navigation, housing stability, and landlord liaison by a trained social work team.

Greater Victoria Coordinated ID Services

Identification is necessary to access vital services and supports such as housing, health care, income security and other social services.

• Client-based
• Pro-active
• Respectful ID services
• In partnership with local community organizations
• Serve both indigenous and non indigenous clients

How we are Making a Difference (ID Service outcomes)

• 500 Successful ID Cases
• 148 ID Cases submitted to government agencies
• 115 Open ID Cases currently being worked on
• 15 Partner organizations and clinic hosts

More than Identification is necessary to access vital services and supports such as housing, health care, income security and other social services.

• In budget sustaining funding is needed to continue ID Service operations

Low Income Transit Assistance (LITA)

Improving access to affordable transportation, the program helps share prosperity and build a healthy, caring and inclusive economy. Used for health/medical/counselling, basic needs, children/family and employment related issues.

• 70 partner agencies
• 2000 adult, and senior/youth monthly passes per year
• 215,000 individual tickets per year

Climate Equity

Working at the space where climate action and social equity meet, our climate work seeks solutions that ensure everyone has the opportunity to participate in climate action and to protect themselves and the planet we all share.

Program activities and products:

• Heat Vulnerability infographic
• Low Income Transit Assistance
• Saanich E- bike Equity
• CRD Gendered Trail Use
• BC Carbon Pricing Review