Here are some updates from this week's push to advocate for Recreational Vehicles to be permitted as compassionate housing in the housing crisis in the Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN):
The RDN Electoral Area Services Committee heard input from two delegations on Wednesday, both advocating for the RDN to take a more compassionate stance on RVs as permanent housing in the housing crisis.
Riverbend RV Resort owner Heather MacDonald made a powerful presentation advocating for the currently existing category of Recreational Vehicle Resort Park -- which does not contain a defined time limit for RV stays -- to be reinstated into the region's new draft zoning bylaw 2500 (where it had been removed due to, as staff articulated on Wednesday, the difficulty for RDN Staff to provide clear answers to the public about how long people could stay in these parks). Given that several hundred people are currently housed in three such RV Resorts in the region, it was very heartening to see a motion passed in the committee to reinstate this category of RV Park back into zoning policies.
Local resident Zoe Todd, who is currently under bylaw enforcement for living in a Tiny Home in a residential area due to a complaint driven process (more details here: https://thediscourse.ca/nanaimo/regional-district-of-nanaimo-tiny-homes-and-rvs), presented on the need to address the core housing need in the region, and offered insights on possible ways to regulate and permit such usage as a form of 'flexible density' in the housing crisis -- including through temporary use permit processes. Staff and directors affirmed this temporary use permit process is feasible. Attention was also drawn to the fact that RVs are currently recognized: in the Agricultural Land Commission Act (through provisions that allow vehicles to be prescribed residential structures); through the Manufactured Home Park Tenancy Act Guideline 9 (which affirms that judges and adjudicators in BC have repeatedly recognized RVs can be permanent housing in parks, campgrounds, and also most recently in residential zones regardless of zoning); in R11 zoning in Nanaimo; and finally, by insurance companies who provide full coverage to RVs as primary residences. Todd's presentation can be viewed here: https://www.instagram.com/reel/C8dqpMGN7ie/?igsh=MjJnMm93eG9lb296
Other positive outcomes included a motion to place a moratorium on bylaw enforcement on longterm RV living in parks, campgrounds, and resorts in the region until Phase 2 of the bylaw review takes place. And, further, a motion was passed to affirm that the RDN will engage in consultation on housing affordability that will include examination of longterm RV living.
Although this is not the final step in legalizing RVs as housing in the region -- particularly since regional districts are reticent to step away from assertions that RVs do not meet the building code and therefore cannot be housing -- public advocacy and education is definitely helping to create a more receptive environment for acknowledging that RVs can and do play an important role in filling core housing need on Vancouver Island.
Gratitude for all of your support, and for sharing your thoughts about RVs and Tiny Homes as compassionate housing in the housing crisis. Your voices are making an impact.
Our fight is not only regional -- it is province wide! Please do consider following along with other nearby efforts to legalize RVs, Tiny Homes, and other creative housing solutions in the Cowichan Valley Regional District by following Legalize Housing on Facebook.
News coverage of Wednesdays meeting:
Radio-Canada coverage of Wednesday's meeting: https://ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/2082317/vehicules-recreatifs-nanaimo-duree-sejour
RDN Area F Director Leanne Salter interviewed on On the Island with Gregor Craigie on Thursday June 20: https://www.cbc.ca/listen/live-radio/1-48-on-the-island/clip/16076422-changing-direction-people-living-rvs-well