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| Prince Rupert City Council has been discussing affordable housing concerns in the City for the last three years, they return to the topic once again at tonight's City Council session. |
This week observes the third year anniversary of the current City Council collective having taken to office, with Mayor Lee Brain and the six serving Councillors having earned the endorsement of the voters on November 15th of 2014.
And since that day that the voters made their choice, one of the major issues that has come up again and again and again, has been how to address the many concerns related to all forms of housing in the community.
The theme of housing had been an issue in the city even before that election of November 2014, with affordable housing having been a recurring theme for some of the candidates during the municipal election campaign.
The increasingly dire housing situation was of particular concern for both Barry Cunningham and Joy Thorkelson who carried that torch the highest during the run up to the 2014 vote.
While the City Council has tackled any number of challenges and introduced new concepts and visions since taking office, Housing has remained a theme of much discussion over these last three years of Council's four year mandate.
But as the Tent City protest currently underway at the City Hall Fountain lawn indicates, it's an ongoing theme which hasn't provided for much success.
As they settle in for what could be a long night this evening, should council wish to find a guiding principle for their work ahead, they should perhaps post in a prominent position in the Council Chamber, the words of Councillor Cunningham on housing themes from October of 2015,
"we're just spinning its wheels and the tires are going to wear out and go flat pretty soon"
His thoughts of the time, provide for not only a very current review of where this Council is at on the issue, but as well, offers a reminder as to the need to focus on ways to solve the ongoing affordable housing situation.
Looking at the results of their discussions two years later, one imagines there's not much tread left on those tires, if they haven't indeed gone flat.
As we heard again from that same Council member on the need for progress but one month ago ... affordable housing is a "situation that we have to wrap our heads around and get more help"
As a bit of background towards all that talk since 2014, we offer up a review of the work of City Council, as well as that of MLA Jennifer Rice in Victoria over the last three years.
Below is a review of those instances when affordable housing made for a topic of note at either Prince Rupert City Hall, or in the British Columbia Legislature.
Prior to the 2014 vote
Barry Cunningham to stress Port and Housing as campaign issues
Daybreak North puts the talk into Election Talking Points
Council candidate Pedersen has a few thoughts on energy and more
Councillors Cunningham and Thorkelson to host Open House on November 1st
Pamphlets will be the path to the voters door for Ray Pedersen
Challengers take the reins at Prince Rupert Mayoralty Forum
Council candidates seek to turn Tuesday's election forum appearance into votes
Barry Cunningham outlines his 'common sense' approach to Council candidacy
Joy Thorkelson stresses need for Depth and Balance on Council
City Hall Discussions post election day November 2014
2017
October 20 -- Affordable housing results continue to elude Prince Rupert city Council
October 19 -- Councillor Thorkelson seeks solutions for homeless residents as wetter, colder weather approaches
July 4 -- A Seniors Housing option for the Anchor Inn?
June 29 -- Council praises Metlakatla Development Corporation's Elders/Seniors Housing initiative as a template for other developers
June 20 -- Council moves two Senior's Housing proposals further ahead
May 12 -- Most on City Council show enthusiasm for renovation plans for old Neptune Inn
April 21 -- City to consider old King Edward School site for Senior's Housing proposal at Monday's meeting
January 11 -- Council moves forward with Neptune Inn plan for Senior's Housing
January 6 -- Details on proposed Seniors Housing project for Neptune site to be reviewed by Council
2016
November 23 -- Five North Coast projects included in BC Government's affordable housing announcement from Tuesday
July 2016 -- City Council adds Seniors Housing requirement and development timeline covenants to Graham Avenue Land Sale
March 29 -- City's Housing Committee gets closer to deliver Report to Province
March 9 -- Kanata School land zoning issue is deferred once again, set to return for March 21 session
January 13 -- Affordable housing continues to dominate Council discussions at start of year
2015
December 10 -- Housing Committee hopes to pick up the pace on housing issues in the New Year
December 9 -- Kanata School zoning review to be delayed until January
December 9 -- Despite some opposition during Public Hearing process, Council approves zoning change for Stiles Place Development
November 13 -- Senior's Housing plans in south could provide blue print for Prince Rupert
November 11 -- Mayor Brain hopeful of progress on affordable housing situation in 2016
November 10 -- Rich Coleman's Affordable Housing tour takes him to Penticton
November 5 -- Housing lessons for Prince Rupert? Province heralds new affordable housing development in Victoria
October 28 -- Housing update highlights funding issues and cross subsidization concepts
October 7 -- Same goals, different approaches for council members on the issue of affordable housing in Prince Rupert
September 16 -- Homeless situation a topic of much interest at Monday's Council session
September 2 -- East Side residents to get first look at Kanata school property housing proposals next week
August 21 -- When it comes to forward momentum for development, Port Edward seems to be on a quicker pace
August 21 -- More LNG Go Plan math with Professor Krekic
August 20 -- Re: Think, Re: Build, Re: Design ... new mantras for a new Prince Rupert?
August 20 -- Housing issues again dominate Council's attention, leading to some heated discussion
August 20 -- Councillors Thorkelson, Cunningham at odds with Mayor over Agenda addition and concerns over land use
July 23 -- Councillor Thorkelson to seek Public Information session on land use in Prince Rupert
July 23 -- Kanata School lands rezoning sparks more discussion at Council
July 23 -- Councillor Thorkelson outlines concerns related to downtown condo proposal
July 5 -- Overnight fire on Third Avenue West consumes New Moon apartment building
June 23 -- City Questionnaire on Housing Needs to launch Thursday
June 12 -- Councillor Thorkelson shares the word: 'BC Housing is looking for units to purchase in Prince Rupert'
June 12 -- Former residents of Neptune Inn find housing for now
June 12 -- Councillor Thorkelson looks to include Senior's Housing in Park Avenue Development planning
May 27 -- Councillor Thorkelson expresses frustration over ongoing issues of homelessness in Prince Rupert
May 27 -- Housing survey set to move forward in weeks to come
May 13 -- Council members to attend Housing forum in Terrace
May 13 -- City to partner with local groups in Homelessness housing initiative
May 4 -- Council's housing moves thus far trending to the upper end of the pricing spectrum
April 10 -- Mayor updates Council on Housing Committee progress
March 5 -- Public engagement on Prince Rupert housing issues expected by next month
March 4 -- Housing plans aplenty for the NorthWest
February 25 -- City Council divides up the work for two City Housing Committees
February 20 -- Terms for Housing Committee to be examined at Monday's Council meeting
February 12 -- Council considers possible shift in Housing Commission plans
February 12 -- East side housing proposal faces a number of questions at City Council
January 14 -- City puts in motion plan to develop Mayor's Select standing committee on Housing
2014
December 3 -- Mayor uses inaugural speech to preview approach ahead for Council
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| North Coast MLA Jennifer Rice will also speak at tonight's Prince Rupert Council session |
2017
November 10 -- North Coast MLA to provide Housing update at Tuesday's Council session
November 9 -- In comments on Prince Rupert Tent City, MLA Rice points to Liberals; highlights NDP achievements and plans
March 1 -- MLA Rice examines many themes in busy Tuesday session at Legislature
April 24 -- Campaign Forum revisited
April 21 -- Radio debates set the scene for Monday's North Coast All Candidates meeting
2016
September 20 -- Dear Mr. Minister ... MLA Rice takes Prince Rupert Housing concerns to Rich Coleman
June 6 -- Housing issues dominate inquiries at MLA Rice's office
2015
January 14 -- Blanket housing plan just doesn't work
2014
December 12 -- MLA Rice challenges Minister Rich Coleman's thoughts over rent controls
November 8 -- Prince Rupert Housing, Jobs and training among items raised by MLA Rice during Legislature session
The talking will continue tonight as City Council discusses the immediate concerns related to housing and the Tent city protest as part of their 7PM Council session.
Whether they come up with any solutions or offer an indication that some are close on the horizon will be of some interest to what could be a large audience.
If you can't make it downtown for the council session, it will be available for streaming on the city's website.
The latest notes of interest from the Tent City protest can be found on our archive page.
More notes on housing in the Northwest is available through our archive page here.
Cross posted from the North Coast Review
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