Column: How much more living space do we need?

To accommodate future growth, Summerland will need 671 more housing units over the next five years and 2,212 more housing units within 20 years, according to a new housing needs report recently received by the council.

The report was requested by the provincial government as part of new legislation aimed at alleviating the housing crisis and draws on data from BC Stats, Statistics Canada, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation and others, as well as interviews with affordable housing operators, business owners, non-profit organizations, School District 67 and members of the public through an online survey that received 767 responses.

Survey respondents expressed particular concerns about housing costs, including construction and land costs. About 44 percent of residents reported spending more than 30 percent of their pre-tax income on housing, representing the point at which housing is considered unaffordable.

While most respondents said they would not leave Summerland due to housing issues, 42 percent said they would at least consider doing so.
A major issue facing Summerland is the lack of housing options, which leads to a lack of diversity in our local population. Those hardest hit are renters, seniors on fixed incomes and young families looking to enter the housing market.

The most recent data (2021) shows that 71 percent of all Summerland residents live in a single-family home. Although this share has fallen from 76 percent in 2006, the majority of newly built apartment buildings are upper-price condominiums. Paradoxically, many people who have outgrown their home find that they cannot afford to downsize. They therefore remain in a home that is too large for their needs, resulting in young families having fewer options to buy or rent a single-family home.

The housing needs report is intended to be used by council for a review of the Official Community Plan, which is required by the provincial government by the end of 2025.

The data and information in the Housing Needs Report is based on a standardized methodology issued by the Ministry of Housing to provide a consistent understanding of local housing needs across the province. The model is designed to account for social variables such as homelessness and population growth, as well as variables reflecting market demand such as: B. Rental vacancy rates should be taken into account.

However, the methodology has its limitations as it is not a market-based measure and does not take into account supply and demand factors such as construction costs or price levels. It does not take into account nuances such as whether anyone can afford to build or purchase the housing they are likely to need.

Some of the data needs to be treated with caution. For example, it was determined that Summerland only needs six more rental apartments over the next 20 years to achieve a “balanced” rental vacancy rate of over three percent. Intuitively we know that the need is much greater.

While the report remains useful for identifying general trends, determining how and where the community should grow will ultimately be guided by ongoing consultations with Summerland residents as part of the Official Community Plan review process.

Doug Holmes is the mayor of Summerland.