As we wrap up 2024, we at Housing Squamish are proud to celebrate a year of progress, collaboration, and growth. Amid challenges, we’ve doubled down on our mission to protect and create affordable housing, ensuring that Squamish remains a community where everyone has the opportunity to live, thrive, and belong. This year, we laid the foundation for a more inclusive and resilient future by transforming an initial $900K investment from the District of Squamish into an impressive $11 million in housing investments for Squamish.
We’re excited to highlight some of our key achievements in this year-end newsletter.
40 Units of Affordable Rental Housing Protected
In June 2024, Housing Squamish, in partnership with Hiy̓ám̓ ta Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Housing Society, successfully acquired Tantalus Manor, located at 1098 Wilson Crescent, safeguarding 40 units of very affordable rental housing. This purchase was made possible thanks to support from the Rental Protection Fund.
Why This Matters
- Addressing Housing Loss: For every new affordable rental home built in BC, four are lost to investors, conversions, demolitions, or rent increases.
- Prioritizing Reconciliation: Unit turnover prioritizes Squamish Nation employees and members, advancing reconciliation and addressing a critical community need.
- Community Ownership: This initiative removes housing units from the private market and places them in community hands, ensuring long-term affordability and stability.
Hearing the Community’s Voice: Insights from the Word on Housing Survey
In response to growing concerns about the housing crisis, Housing Squamish conducted a community survey to understand better the barriers residents face in accessing affordable housing and identify the groups most impacted. The survey results, released in early 2024, provided valuable insights, guiding our efforts to focus on the community’s most urgent housing needs.
Key Findings
85% of respondents identified the lack of affordable rent as the biggest challenge. The survey also identified the groups most affected by the housing challenges in Squamish, including:
- Renters
- Low- and medium-income earners
- Women
- Indigenous people
- People with disabilities
- People under 40
- Seniors
Why This Matters
The insights from the survey have been essential for shaping Housing Squamish’s priorities. By understanding the barriers residents face, especially those most in need of affordable housing, we continue to target better resources and initiatives to address the housing needs of our community. This data enables us to make informed decisions, advocate for needed changes, and work towards creating a more accessible and inclusive housing market in Squamish.
Eight New Affordable Homes for Local Families: A Step Toward a Stronger Squamish
This year, Housing Squamish, in partnership with the District of Squamish, Polygon Homes, and BC Housing, also successfully added eight new affordable homes to the community at Highline at Garibaldi Springs. These homes provide much-needed housing for local families and represent a significant step in our ongoing efforts to address the affordable housing crisis in Squamish. With over 200 applicants for eight units, we know this is just the tip of the iceberg of what is needed, but it is a start we are proud of and could not have been achieved without a strong partnership. Thank you to the District of Squamish, Polygon Homes and BC Housing.
Advancing New Housing Opportunities
In collaboration with the District of Squamish, we have made significant strides in advancing affordable housing initiatives on District-owned lands this year. A key focus has been addressing challenges to move forward with new housing developments, including a project in the Northyards neighbourhood on Government Road. By overcoming these barriers, we’re laying the groundwork for future projects.
Engaging in Sector-Wide Conversations
Last month, I also had the privilege of contributing to the broader housing conversation at the BC Non-Profit Housing Association’s Housing Central Conference, where I joined two inspiring panel discussions. Together with other sector leaders, we tackled some of the most pressing challenges and opportunities in affordable housing.
Key themes included:
- Shifting to a Growth Mindset: Building capacity to meet community needs requires flexible, risk-taking approaches from societies, regulators, and funders.
- Learning from Indigenous-Led Solutions: Innovations by groups like the Squamish Nation’s Hi’yám̓ Housing highlight the power of bold leadership and committed partnerships.
- Focusing on Fundamentals: In a challenging financial landscape, maximizing land use, designing cost-efficient buildings, and adopting sustainable technologies are essential to long-term success.
These conversations reaffirmed our shared commitment to collaborative, forward-thinking solutions that address the housing crisis.
Strengthening Our Team
As we reflect on the year, we are also grateful to have welcomed talented new members to our team. Carol Coffey and Rebecca Pousette joined us as staff, while Jeff Waters and Catherine Webster became valuable additions to our board. Their expertise and passion will help drive our mission forward. Looking ahead, we’re excited to begin recruiting committee members in the coming year, bringing even more voices and perspectives into our work.
Understanding the Housing Crisis
The causes behind the housing crisis are complex, and so are the solutions. If you’re interested in learning more about the factors at play, check out these insightful reads:
Next year, we’ll be heading into the community for conversations—stay tuned!
As we bid farewell to 2024, we are filled with gratitude for the partnerships, collaborations, and community support that have fuelled our collective progress. Housing Squamish remains steadfast in its commitment to addressing the housing crisis and ensuring that Squamish is a place where everyone can thrive. We look forward to continuing this journey with you in the year ahead with new projects, fresh initiatives, and meaningful community engagement. Thank you for being part of this mission—we can’t wait to see what we can achieve together in 2025!
Yours truly,
Sarah Ellis