Regional Housing Service Approved (Bylaws 512 & 515)
The SRD has received consent through its Alternative Approval Process to establish a regional housing service.
Campbell River, BC – The Strathcona Regional District (SRD) has received consent through its Alternative Approval Process to establish a regional housing service with the intent to consider several housing related challenges in the region either directly or in partnership with other entities.
The housing service was adopted by the SRD Board of Directors yesterday through Bylaws No. 512 and 515 which authorize the SRD to establish a regional housing service and borrow up to $10 million for that purpose.
The Strathcona Regional District (SRD) initiated an Alternative Approval Process (AAP) on November 8, 2023 to determine elector support for Bylaws No. 512 and 515. The elector response period ran for 53 days and closed on January 2, 2024. A total of 392 qualified electors (0.11%) submitted valid response forms to oppose the adoption of the bylaws by the Regional Board without first obtaining the approval of the electors by voting. Under the Alternative Approval Process, approval of the electors is obtained if the number of elector responses received is less than 10 percent of the total number of electors within the region (34,551 electors).
Now that Bylaws No. 512 and 515 have been approved by the Board, the Regional District will be able to start considering a number of service provision options moving forward. “The regional housing service will allow the SRD to address some of the pressing issues related to housing in this region including the lack of workforce housing, housing to meet the needs of seniors, and other housing challenges,” said SRD Board Chair, Mark Baker.
Over the next few months, the SRD will determine whether there are projects that require immediate attention and whether the SRD should be providing public funding to address potential solutions.
For more information about the new regional housing service please visit www.srd.ca/regional-housing-aap.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Dave Leitch, SRD Chief Administrative Officer
(250) 830-6703 | dleitch@srd.ca