Workforce Housing Strategy

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Cowichan has a lot to offer, but living here is becoming increasingly expensive too. Renters need stable long-term housing, homeowners can struggle with the high cost of living, and businesses lose employees when they can’t find anywhere to live. The Cowichan Valley Regional District (CVRD) wants to understand how it can help.

Economic Development Cowichan (a service of the CVRD) is in the early stages of developing a Workforce Housing Strategy and Action Plan in partnership with Cowichan Housing Association.

Workforce housing is defined as housing that is affordable for working individuals or families, where “affordable” is generally understood to mean no more than 30% of gross household income. It is generally understood that workforce housing targets those earning 60% to 120% of the median household income of an area. For Cowichan, that means households earning between $47,700 and $95,400 per year (based on Census 2021 data). Workforce housing differs from social housing, which is subsidized by government.

To develop an action plan of housing solutions for workers, we asked for input on key issues facing businesses and employees in the Cowichan Valley. We conducted two surveys, one for people who work or would like to work in Cowichan, and one for the businesses and agencies they work for. The information provided will help us understand the impact that housing has had on employers and employees. The responses will be used to develop a picture of workforce housing needs in the Cowichan Valley and help us determine important solutions to explore as part of the Workforce Housing Strategy background research. The surveys are now concluded, participation was voluntary and confidential.

July 2022 Update - The Workforce Housing Survey closed on July 3, 2022; the feedback gathered from both employers and employees provides an overview of the existing housing impacts, needs and preferences. The data will be used as a baseline in the development of the Workforce Housing Strategy. To learn more about the results, read through the 2-page summary of the Workforce Housing Survey Results.

Next steps - We will now be releasing a request for proposals from qualified consultants to work with staff and key stakeholders in the development of the regional Workforce Housing Strategy. Public engagement and feedback throughout the development of the Strategy will be critical to ensuring solutions meet the needs of the Cowichan region.

To keep up to date on the overall project, subscribe to Economic Development Cowichan’s newsletter by clicking here.

Cowichan has a lot to offer, but living here is becoming increasingly expensive too. Renters need stable long-term housing, homeowners can struggle with the high cost of living, and businesses lose employees when they can’t find anywhere to live. The Cowichan Valley Regional District (CVRD) wants to understand how it can help.

Economic Development Cowichan (a service of the CVRD) is in the early stages of developing a Workforce Housing Strategy and Action Plan in partnership with Cowichan Housing Association.

Workforce housing is defined as housing that is affordable for working individuals or families, where “affordable” is generally understood to mean no more than 30% of gross household income. It is generally understood that workforce housing targets those earning 60% to 120% of the median household income of an area. For Cowichan, that means households earning between $47,700 and $95,400 per year (based on Census 2021 data). Workforce housing differs from social housing, which is subsidized by government.

To develop an action plan of housing solutions for workers, we asked for input on key issues facing businesses and employees in the Cowichan Valley. We conducted two surveys, one for people who work or would like to work in Cowichan, and one for the businesses and agencies they work for. The information provided will help us understand the impact that housing has had on employers and employees. The responses will be used to develop a picture of workforce housing needs in the Cowichan Valley and help us determine important solutions to explore as part of the Workforce Housing Strategy background research. The surveys are now concluded, participation was voluntary and confidential.

July 2022 Update - The Workforce Housing Survey closed on July 3, 2022; the feedback gathered from both employers and employees provides an overview of the existing housing impacts, needs and preferences. The data will be used as a baseline in the development of the Workforce Housing Strategy. To learn more about the results, read through the 2-page summary of the Workforce Housing Survey Results.

Next steps - We will now be releasing a request for proposals from qualified consultants to work with staff and key stakeholders in the development of the regional Workforce Housing Strategy. Public engagement and feedback throughout the development of the Strategy will be critical to ensuring solutions meet the needs of the Cowichan region.

To keep up to date on the overall project, subscribe to Economic Development Cowichan’s newsletter by clicking here.

  • CLOSED: This survey has concluded.

    Workforce Housing Survey for Employers

    Choose this survey if you are an employer operating within the Cowichan Valley, or employing workers who live within the Cowichan Valley. Please respond from the perspective of your business or organization.

    To develop an action plan of housing solutions for workers, we need your input on key issues facing businesses in the Cowichan Valley. The following questions will help us understand the impact that housing has had on you as an employer. The responses will be used to develop a picture of workforce housing needs in the Cowichan Valley and help us determine important solutions to explore as part of the Workforce Housing Strategy background research. Your participation is voluntary, confidential and should only take 8-10 minutes.

    Take Survey
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  • CLOSED: This survey has concluded.

    Workforce Housing Survey for Workers

    Choose this survey if you work within the Cowichan Valley or would like to work within the Cowichan Valley, even if you don't currently live in Cowichan.

    To develop an action plan of housing solutions for workers, we need your input on key issues facing workers in the Cowichan Valley. The information you provide will help us understand the impact that housing has had on you as an employee. The responses will be used to develop a picture of workforce housing needs in the Cowichan Valley and help us determine important solutions to explore as part of the Workforce Housing Strategy background research. Your participation is voluntary, confidential and should only take 10-12 minutes.

    Take Survey
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Page last updated: 10 Aug 2022, 09:27 AM