Defining affordability as Nanaimo pre-zones for social housing, a North Cowichan Co-op's road to reality

Nanaimo is looking at new rules to encourage more affordable housing in the community. The city is in the process of pre-zoning certain corridors for social housing. The exact definitions are still a work in progress, with public consultation  planned to take place towards the end of the month, ahead of the plan coming before city council in the spring. Midcoast Morning spoke with Kasia Biegun, project manager about the pre-zoning initiative.

Plus, a new cooperative housing development in North Cowichan is expected to bring 92 affordable apartments to the community. Thom Armstrong, CEO of the Cooperative Housing Federation of BC spoke about the road to reality for that project, and weighed in on what a municipality can do to encourage affordable builds.

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Guests:

  • Kasia Biegun — Project Manager, Prezoning for Social Housing Project, City of Nanaimo

  • Thom Armstrong — CEO, Cooperative Housing Federation of B.C.

Program Team:

  • Joe Pugh — Host and Producer.

  • Jesse Woodward — Executive Producer.

  • Arbie Fru — Technical Assistance.

Podcast Photo:

  • Pre-zoning Map (City of Nanaimo ARC GIS).

Theme Music:

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Transcript:

Incoming.

Report Transcription errors by emailing production@chly.ca.

Funding:

This program is part of our our Nonprofit Newsroom Project. Sustain local news for many years to come by signing up for a monthly Sustaining Donation.

Joe Pugh