With the federal by-election set for April 28 in the West Vancouver–Sunshine Coast–Sea to Sky Country riding, local non-profit Housing Squamish has contacted all candidates with housing-related questions. Housing Squamish was established by the District of Squamish in 2021 as a non-profit housing provider, with a mission to “catalyze housing solutions across the spectrum of housing needs in Squamish.”
Housing Squamish notes that Squamish’s rental vacancy rate is under 0.8% according to the 2024 CMHC Rental Market Report, well below the 3–5% range typically considered healthy. Between 2018 and 2022, average prices for two-bedroom rentals and home sales rose by 45%. A 2023 housing needs assessment by the District of Squamish projected that the community will require 6,840 new homes by 2031, with nearly two-thirds needing below-market housing.
In advance of the by-election, Housing Squamish asked each candidate the same four questions:
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Rents in Squamish have grown over 50% in the last five years and rental vacancy rates are among the lowest in B.C. What would you and your party do to address rental affordability and availability in Squamish?
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How would you and your party support non-profit housing providers – like Housing Squamish – with delivering the below-market housing needed in the community?
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Housing insecurity and homelessness are increasing in Squamish and the Sea to Sky. What actions would you and your party take to support people experiencing these challenges?
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Support for on- and off-reserve housing for Indigenous people is a key part of Reconciliation. What would you and your party do to address housing need among Indigenous people?
“Housing Squamish is working hard to be part of the solution,” the non-profit said. “As a non-profit housing provider established by the District of Squamish in 2021, our mission is simple: To catalyze housing solutions across the spectrum of housing needs in Squamish.”
Visit the Housing Squamish website to see the responses by the candidates.
David J Lassmann says
The issue of affordable housing in Squamish is kind of an artificially created issue. Originally the people who came and lived in Squamish did so because there was work here for them. In those days the cost of building a house was much less than it is today. Things have changed a lot since then. One should remember that a business is not created to provide for everyone’s needs. a business is only created to make a profit for the business owner. There was probably never any civilization that didn’t have poverty as well as wealth. That was true in the days of Christ Jesus and it is still true today. Therefore I am not opposed to the idea of government subsidized housing that must be paid for by taxes, but I much prefer that people be honest about it and recognize it for what it is.
jeff mckenzie says
I would really like to know how many units in 4 yrs that Housing Squamish has provided for citizens of Squamish. Are there units on the drawing board. Have they been getting units from each completed development or cash in Lieu.