Kelowna looks at housing strategy

It is critical, for Kelowna's future success, that housing issues be addressed.

That is part of a report Kelowna City Council will review Monday, asking councillors to direct staff to proceed with development of a housing strategy.

The report, prepared by Community Planning Manager Theresa Eichler, suggests that, despite numerous actions to address the need for affordable housing, housing remains a key issue as highlighted in recent citizen surveys.

"Kelowna, along with many other communities, is experiencing affordable housing shortages as a result in shifts in national policy and investment, as well as market conditions," says Eichler in her report.

She goes on to say that as a smaller and younger city, "Kelowna does not have the benefit of a significant supply of older (and therefore more affordable) house stock."

"This, combined with desirable geographic conditions, further accentuates the affordable housing issue for Kelowna."

Eichler says while other levels of government need to play a key role, "local government's actions are also important."

In addition to pulling together existing housing-related material, Eichler says it is envisioned a housing strategy would include, among other things, identifying the range of housing options required to meet Kelowna's needs now and in the future, a review of the definitions of affordability, determining the role the city should play and identifying ways to establish relationships with builders, developers and other levels of government.