3rd UPDATE:

We are now taking a slightly different approach, but, still with a very similar goal in mind. We want to learn alot more from the community something like this would serve, and get THIER opinion as to what is needed regarding a housing project.

The more public opinion we can hear, the better understanding it will give us as to what is needed.

By signing this petition, it shows that you are in favour to seeing action taken regarding affordable housing, but, as to what would be done, we want your opinion and engagement, to help us understand specifics.

Please sign the petition, and comment on Facebook as to the types of changes you'd like to see, ideas you may have, and anything regarding housing to help our team get as best of an understanding as possible as we move forward onto the next step.

Thankyou, and your engagement and opinion is appreciated from all of us.

 

2nd UPDATE:

This concept and idea is soon to go into research faze, and the amount of people who have viewed, signed, shared, and commented, will all an effect on the following stages of this plan. If a more affordable form of housing in Kitimat is something you are in favour of for yourself, or someone in your household, please get on board. If there is someone you know closely who is not within your home, but doesn't have access to this online petition, please sign for them and use their name. The more support we can get, the more a research time is going to be able to justify continuing on this project.

Thankyou.

 

UPDATE:

One thing that is very important, is that people who are interested or curious, understand what "affordable housing" is.

"Affordable Housing" means that the amount a family, or individual pays for their rent including utility is equal to or less then 30% of their gross income. For example: if your gross income is $3000.00 per month, before taxes, rent and utilities combined should be equal to or less then $1000.00 to be considered an "affordable housing" option.

"Affordable Housing" DOES NOT refer to anything other then BC Housing's definition of terminology.

The entire concept of this project I want to see happen is specifically based and designed to accommodate the zero existence of "affordable housing" in Kitimat.

We have people whom work fulltime at minimum wage ( $16.75 ), and an "affordable housing" option should cost to them approx. $800 per month. That does not exist in our community.

The most cost effective option in our community is approx. $1400.00 per month, it is not safe or sanitary, but, in order for BC Housing to consider that an "affordable housing" option, a family or an individual would need to be working fulltime, at approx. $29 per hour. If an individual, or family, does not have at least a fulltime income (equivalent to 40 hours per week) at $29 per hour or more, there are zero safe and "affordable housing" options in our community for them.

Once there is "affordable housing" for ALL classes of earnings in our community, it will allow people to justify taking an entry level paying job because there is a place they can call home, and not be sacrificing food to do so.

That will allow businesses to flourish, allowing business owners to hire more average paid employees, and allow growth in our community that is currently close to impossible because people entering the work force, or coming to our community, CANNOT afford jobs paying less then $30 an hour because of current rental prices.

Businesses will be able to afford more employees, and employees will be able to afford low-medium wages, which will in turn cause growth, as well as investors will be able to consider opening more businesses here, because there then becomes the opportunity of more people being able to afford to be here.

I want to see measures put in place to allow for affordability, options, and growth, rather then a decline of options thus causing a decline of people, and a decline of business. This is a way of initiating the "not needing to go to terrace", and worse off; people in general deciding to leave Kitimat in general because "affordable housing" does not exist. People are not concerned about activities, when they need two jobs to pay rent and buy food.

THAT is what I want help changing. I want there to be safe and "affordable housing" options for those individuals and family's, whom are working FULLTIME for less then $29 per hour. I want "affordable housing" options to exist for the generations that will be entering the workforce as well as those trying to survive it.

There would finally be options for people who are working fulltime and feel like they have no chance, or for people who are stuck in unsanitary, unsafe living conditions, with no other options because of costs. Two or three family bodies living in one home without a choice is not an "affordable housing" option. It's survival mode. The typical working class citizen will get their life back.

With the concept of a complex like this, it will be geared towards a variety of income, and through the participation of a rental application, as well as proof of income, the rent and utilities combined would be calculated based off a 30% value of gross income, for those who apply and become qualified tenants.

It would require a  minimum of a fulltime wage of $16.75 per hour (40 hours a week), or equivalent income and up. 

It would also accommodate people whom are recognized by the Provincial and Federal Government as a Person with Disability and are receiving disability benefits Provincially as well as Federally.

There would also be a set maximum wage qualification amount so the housing complex would only have qualified applicants throughout the lower and middle class, and not a surplus of high class wages taking advantage of a concept designed to be a stepping stone in life and the community.

(Any questions regarding what "affordable housing" means, please don't hesitate to contact me and I will explain. This is so fulltime workers can afford daily living, and people working fulltime with lower and middle incomes can afford rent and utilities without sacrificing daily needs.)

 

ORIGINAL: 

I am helping the community by trying to raise awareness, support, and assistance for a BC HOUSING Funded Affordable Rental Development Project.

With the massive demand of rental units in Kitimat, and the low supply, as well as the extremely high wages that are being offered at the Riotinto Site as well as the LNG Canada Site, its leaving the middle and lower class citizens of Kitimat in position where landlords are spiking rent costs, investors are purchasing properties and increasing rent costs, and people are getting evicted due to renovation work, in order for the owners to increase rent costs, all to try and capitalize on the wages currently being offered for workers at the industrial sites. Older homes are falling apart, and are being ignored, for tenants to move out voluntarily, so the owners can't unjustly evict them.

Practically the entire community other then those with a high wage, or, people who bought their homes years ago, cannot afford today's current rent prices, and there are not other available options other then for multiple people to pile up in one home, tolerate living conditions that are unsafe and unsanitary, or ask a friend or family to help them with somewhere to live.

The rental apartments and complex's in town are all either old and not kept up, or, are FAR overpriced.

We, as the community members of Kitimat, need a affordable rental option, where we don't have to sacrifice health in order to survive and we need the assistance from the Municipal Government, the Provincial Government, BC Housing, and mainly the support from the Community and people considering our Community, to work together in applying, approving, and building a place where people can afford a safe place to call home.

British Columbia has projects like these being built all over the province for a reason. They're effective, financially feasible, safe, clean and up to date, but best of all, help people who don't make massive incomes still have a beautiful place to call home. 

The specific goal is to have the project funded, owned, and operated by BC Housing so that way rental prices accommodate those who are looking for affordability.

Please make a simple contribution by adding your name and showing your support for those experiencing this need. Whether it be a family member, a friend, or someone who've heard is just not quiet making it, it would make a massive difference for THEM, and is easy for YOU to help.