Photo: Contributed

In Kelowna a quarter of households are paying more than 50 per cent of their income for rent and utilities.

While in BC almost half of all renter households are paying more than 30 percent of their gross income according to new data released today from the Rental Housing Index.

Tony Roy, executive director of BC Non-Profit Housing Association says it’s even more concerning that nearly one quarter of residents in the province are paying more than 50 percent of their income on rent, putting them at a crisis level of spending.

“Both of these numbers show that more British Columbians are facing a serious affordability crunch.”

These results come from the Rental Housing Index, a new interactive map of rental data launched today (Monday) by the BC Non Profit Housing Association (BCNPHA) at their annual conference.

The Index was developed in partnership with Vancity Credit Union and is to examine issues of income, affordability and overcrowding across nearly 100 communities in province.

According to Roy the Rental Housing Index will provide housing planners, non-profit housing developers and all levels of government with customized data and other critical information they need to plan for future housing needs in the province.

“This is a chance to look at the province through the eyes of renters. Many know their rent is too high, but feel like they don’t have a choice but to pay up. We’re not building more rental housing, so renters are forced to overspend, living in overcrowded or deteriorated conditions, or they become homeless,” he says.  “It’s a shame because it’s far cheaper to plan for more rental housing than to deal with the huge costs linked to homelessness, on the health and justice systems. If we don’t invest in affordable housing today, we end up paying a much higher price down the road.”

In Kelowna:

• Average rent plus utilities: $1,098.00  
• Number of renters: 14,055
• Percentage of households paying more than 30% of income on rent: 51%

In Kamloops:

• Average rent plus utilities: $857.00  
• Number of renters: 9,150
• Percentage of households paying more than 30% of income on rent: 47%

Linda Morris, senior vice-president of Vancity adds these findings by the Rental Housing Index demonstrates that almost one of every two renters in British Columbia do not have access to adequate and reasonably priced housing.

“These findings point to the need to develop affordable housing alternatives through a variety of tools ranging from policy changes to developing new partnerships that include land and capital investments.”

To find out how your community compares to other regions in British Columbia and the Province as a whole, click here.