REQUEST FOR DIRECTION
DATE: June 13, 2017 Report No. DEV-17-036
TO: Laurie Hurst, Chief Administrative Officer
FROM: Marlene Lagoa, Community Development Coordinator
SUBJECT:
Title
Affordable Housing Workshop Summary Report
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ESSENTIAL QUESTION:
How should the Township proceed based on the findings from the affordable housing workshop?
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
That the Committee of the Whole receive Staff Report No. DEV-17-036 for information, provide direction to staff on whether to proceed with further engagement opportunities, and direct staff to draft new policies for the Official Community Plan based on the findings from the affordable housing workshop.
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BACKGROUND:
At the February 20, 2017 Regular Committee of the Whole meeting, staff was directed to acquire the services of an affordable housing consultant (Whistler Centre for Sustainability) to oversee and facilitate an affordable housing workshop. The workshop forms part of the Official Community Plan (OCP) review process with the intent of providing focused stakeholder input into affordable housing solutions for Esquimalt.
The workshop was held on May 5, 2017 and included:
- two guest speakers on affordable housing best practices;
- a review of different types of residents housing needs;
- a discussion on affordable housing goals and desired outcomes; and
- an assessment of affordable housing strategies and tools and whether they would work in Esquimalt.
Close to 60 people attended the workshop including representatives from the following sectors: local government, builders/developers, federal government, architects, non-profit organizations, and residents.
A summary report of the workshop activities and findings is attached to this report.
ISSUES:
The ideas and discussions from the affordable housing workshop will inform and shape the development of affordable housing policies for the OCP update.
Supported Strategies
Participants supported a diversity of housin...
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