Housing

Access to appropriate and affordable housing is fundamental to well being. In 2015, Island Health reported that 46.1% of renters in LHA Region 72 and 52.6% of renters in LHA Region 84 are spending more than 30% of their income on housing. Since then housing pressures in the region have continued to increase. Studies such as the Shared Care MHSU Report from 2016 have started to show what anecdotally the Network has heard: that housing pressures in Campbell River are forcing people on low incomes to move to regional centres that are more affordable, but that have less access to services such as transportation, grocery stores, and health services.

There are a significant number of community groups, non-profits, and service providers active in the homelessness sector in Campbell River. There is a gap in collaborative planning, shared data measurements, and multi-sectoral collaboration around social housing across the region, especially as it relates to families, seniors, women, and those living in remote and rural areas.

Action on housing and homelessness were identified as a priority area at both Health Network forums in 2015. There are significant gaps in housing, housing insecurity and homelessness data across the region.

Data sources: Strathcona Community Health Network Forum Report (June 2015), Strathcona Community Health Network Forum Report (November 2015), Island Health LHA Report 84, Island Health LHA Report 72, Campbell River Vital Signs, City of Campbell River Homelessness Report (2015), Shared Care MHSU Report (2016), Housing Central Affordable Housing Plan for Strathcona (2017).