If you are looking to Nanaimo Council candidates for alternative thinking on dealing with the housing crisis, you aren’t alone. ”With housing affordability at crisis levels across Greater Victoria, a coalition of local non-profit housing providers are calling on candidates for local government to get serious about tackling the issue.” In fact, housing is one of the top priorities of the electorate in many BC municipalities.

For the newly formed coalition In Victoria, getting serious means committing to an action plan. “Talk about a commitment to affordable housing actually needs to translate into some really concrete actions and commitments,” a member said. “That’s what we’re hoping to hear from candidates, those commitments that the community can then hold them accountable for once they’re elected.”

The article outlines “six very tangible steps” that elected municipal councils can take. Including the Council in Nanaimo. In effect, the outlined steps provide a checklist for Nanaimo voters to assess candidates’ thinking on and commitment to dealing with our own crisis of housing affordability. Electing only those committed to effective action enables the electorate, itself, to be proactive.

Local governments need to step up on affordable and supportive housing, non-profit coalition says. Capital Daily. September 23, 2022. “Calls to action outline six ‘very tangible steps’ municipalities can take to increase and retain affordable housing.”