Attn: BC Rural Dividend
July 6th, 2018
RE: Foundations to Housing, Golden and CSRD Area A
To whom it may concern,
The challenges we face around housing are complex and interrelated and it is time to get serious about tackling them. This means engaging the institutions of civic society in a sustained conversation and offering tangible reports that may influence funders to look favourably at housing development proposals.
Kicking Horse Country Chamber members overwhelmingly agree that housing is a major issue for businesses in Golden and Area A, with most businesses owners agreeing that the cost of housing and lack of rental stock has been a barrier to the attraction and retention of labour. Housing affordability and availability has become an economic issue.
Affordable housing choices are required in order to be economically competitive and to attract and retain skilled workers. An adequate supply of housing is critical for economic growth. The nature of the problem is such that there can be no silver bullet with which to solve the problem, but many solutions working tandem have the potential to relieve pressures currently exerted on the market. One of these solutions is to increase the supply of homes through density and housing alternatives.
The Kicking Horse Country Chamber of Commerce supports the Golden Community Social Services Coop application for both a Housing Needs Assessment and Affordable Housing Strategy. If successful, the Foundations to Housing, Golden and CSRD Area A project will help determine solutions to creating a more resilient housing market, that allows for people of all economic backgrounds to have access to housing.
Sincerely,
Shelly Wadden|Executive Director
Kicking Horse Country Chamber of Commerce
[email protected]
Ph: 250.344.0546