OSOYOOS TIMES-July 22, 2009

By Laurena Weninger - Osoyoos Times

Local government should target young couples and single-parent families when it comes to providing more affordable housing options, agreed all parties involved in a recent affordable housing study in Osoyoos.
CitySpaces Consulting Ltd. was hired in April by Osoyoos and Oliver town councils at a cost of $20,000 to complete a study on affordable housing needs for both communities.
Since then, they have been collecting data.
Last week they presented that information to councillors and staff and also to the Osoyoos Affordable Housing Task Force – a community-based group appointed to review issues and develop recommendations to Osoyoos town council.
“This week, significant progress was made on developing affordable housing strategies for the towns of Osoyoos and Oliver,” states a press release from Alain Cunningham, director of planning and development services for the Town.
CitySpaces consultants Noha Sedky and Linda Allen presented the statistical information, which covered demographics, income and housing affordability.
According to their presentation, “In the next 20 years, the population of the South Okanagan Health Area is forecast to grow by about 10 per cent – from 19,500 to 21,400. The towns of Oliver and Osoyoos account for approximately half of the area’s population.”
The data includes income statistics, showing a huge range – and consequently the amount of money people have available to rent or purchase a home.
“While a category six teacher will have ample choice in the housing market, the housing choices are much fewer for workers in the hospitality and agricultural sectors.
“In comparison with B.C. as a whole… incomes in the South Okanagan are significantly less than B.C. as a whole. This is most apparent for couple families. This is likely accentuated by the relatively high number of retired couples in both communities.”
Although incomes are lower here, housing costs are still high.
That makes it hard to find affordable accommodations.
“Housing is commonly considered to be affordable when households spend no more than 30 per cent of their income on shelter,” states the report.
That means that couple families could rent a two-bedroom home (at an average cost of $600 to $1,000 per month) or purchase in the range of $290,000 to $307,000 – which means they likely couldn’t afford an average detached house in either community.
Single-parent families would have difficulty affording two-bedroom rental accommodations and they wouldn’t be able to purchase.
Single people would find it very difficult to find a one-bedroom suite without spending more than 30 per cent of their income.
The consultants identified four groups most in need of housing assistance in our community.
First on the list are short-term-stay workers, such as agricultural, tourism or construction workers.
Second on the list are moderate-income singles that have stable jobs but cannot afford a mortgage.
The third group are young working families and the final group are individuals who are in need of continued assistance, such as special needs housing.
A community survey on the affordable housing issue is underway until the end of July.
The questionnaire is online at www.osoyoos.ca and copies are available at Town Hall, Super Valu and the Sonora Community Centre
Residents are asked to take the time to fill it out.
After that information is collected, the consultants expect to complete their Housing Needs Assessment by mid-August.
The assessment will include an expanded version of the information they have collected.
Draft strategies for each town will be presented in September and community meetings on the affordable housing issue will be held.
reporter@osoyoostimes.com