A housing needs report will be presented to Cumberland council tonight.
Senior planner Karin Albert is presenting the report to give an overview of the current and expected housing situation in the Village, using 2021 Census data.
The report shows that population and housing having gone up by 20 percent and 18 percent respectively between 2016 and 2021, while the median home price went up by 58 percent between 2019 and 2022.
Albert says by 2043, the population is expected to go up to 7,390.
“Dwelling units, including affordable housing need to meet that need at an estimated 1,210 units,” said Albert.
“Back in 2016, we had 10 percent of residents in core housing need, and 9 percent in 2021. In both cases, renters, single parents, and single individuals living on their own were the most affected.”
Albert says rents went up by 51 percent in the last few years throughout the Comox Valley, with the highest increase seen in studio apartments at 111 percent between 2019 and 2023.
She says the report must be used for the official community plan review.
“We have a public meeting coming up next week on the 22nd and 23rd, and on Wednesday we will talk to the community about housing,” said Albert.
“We will be presenting different growth scenarios to get input on where people want growth.”
She adds some ways to improve affordability are having more rental supply and advocacy.
The meeting is set for Monday afternoon at 5:30 p.m., which can be watched live on Youtube.
For where to watch, click here.
