The Lower Columbia Community Development Team is hoping to set up more attainable housing in the region under its attainable housing committee and wanted to find out Rossland’s thoughts on the subject.
Janet Morton, chair committee, presented the findings of the committee to council on Monday.
Morton said the initiative is looking to purchase affordable rental units in Rossland, as well as in other areas in the Lower Columbia region.
The committee will be looking for a grant in aid of around $4,500 from the city once properties in Rossland are purchased.
The attainable housing committee project is aimed at increasing the number of affordable rental units in the whole area. She was focused on affordable rental housing for those classified in housing need, as well as housing for low-income seniors.
Housing need refers in this instance to those who spend more than 30 per cent of their gross household income on rent or mortgages, before utilities and other costs are factored in.
Morton said that a huge chunk of the people in housing needs are single residents households, which she noted was likely an intersect with seniors. Then the lone parent, two or more related, couples with no children.
“Housing, (and feeding into B.C. housing some federal government money as well) as come out with an affordable housing initiative,” she said. “Basically, what that is providing is capital funding to organizations to increase the number of rental units that are affordable to households in the bottom 40 per cent of household earnings.”