RDCK residents invited to participate in Regional Housing Needs Assessment survey
By Contributor
The Regional District of Central Kootenay (RDCK) is soliciting survey responses from local residents for the Community Survey: Assessment of Regional Housing Need.
This information will help inform the RDCK Regional Housing Needs Assessment – a project intended to build an awareness of housing demands and needs across the region and allow for collaborative action toward addressing housing gaps and needs within our communities.
“Access to adequate housing that is affordable, accessible and appropriate continues to be an issue in both our urban and rural communities. Hearing from as many community members as possible in all types of housing situations is essential to determining the housing needs of our communities” said Aimee Watson, RDCK Board Chair and Director for Electoral Area D.
Residents of RDCK’s eleven electoral areas and eight of its member municipalities, Creston, Kaslo, Nakusp, Nelson, New Denver, Salmo, Silverton and Slocan, are invited to participate in the online survey by visiting www.rdck.ca/housing.
City of Castlegar has already completed a Housing Needs Assessment in 2018 and is acting in an advisory capacity.
In addition to the online survey, paper copies can be picked up or dropped off in the following locations: any RDCK office, Castlegar & District Public Library, Circle of Indigenous Nations Society Office (Castlegar), Creston Valley Public Library, Kaslo and District Public Library, Nakusp Public Library, Nelson Municipal Library, New Denver City Clerk Office, Riondel Community Reading Centre, Salmo Village Office, Silverton Municipal Hall and Slocan Community Library. A Housing Lived Experience survey is also being conducted to ensure RDCK hears from those accessing housing supports and services.
The survey will be open until March 31, 2020.
The Regional Housing Needs Assessment is the first phase in developing a Regional Housing Action Plan. Funding to undertake this work was provided through a new grant program under the Union of British Columbia Municipalities (UBCM). The Regional District of Central Kootenay was one of eight Regional Districts in the Province to receive this funding.
Anyone requiring more information on this initiative can contact the Project Manager, Dana Hawkins at (250) 352-8153 or by email at dhawkins@rdck.bc.ca or visit our website at www.rdck.ca/housing
Incorporated in 1965, the Regional District of Central Kootenay (RDCK) is a local government that serves 60,000 residents in 11 electoral areas and nine-member municipalities. The RDCK provides more than 160 services, including community facilities, fire protection and emergency services, grants, planning and land use, regional parks, resource recovery and handling, transit, water services and much more. For more information about the RDCK, visit www.rdck.ca.
