5,218 new housing units needed by 2026
Plus, letters and a light up
Let’s start with letters.
On Monday, news that the mayor has joined a provincial advisory committee on modular housing. Brian J says:
Friendly reminder that the City of Prince George is NOT a reliable partner in the battle to support housing options.
With a link to this article: Proposed modular home park in Hart rejected.
On Tuesday, I wrote about the mayor declaring Christian Heritage Month. In response, Phil wrote:
A declaration made AS Mayor of the city is Not independent of that city or its council.
I recently saw a survey that said less than 25% of Canadians said Any religion was very important to them.
Don't be surprised if there is backlash from any number of other religions feeling ignored or excluded.
And 4streegrrl responded:
kind of like the prayer breakfast that Mayor Yu attended earlier this year, independent of the city and council. I mean, go as Simon Yu and declare as Simon Yu, but once you start adding the honorific, there is a perception that this is just part of city and elected council business.
Also, has PG declared any other month for another faith? Maybe I'll start lobbying for Humanist Month. :)
Lighting up downtown
Darrin Rigo’s new newsletter is out:
It’s about the civic light up and what it tells us about what downtown could be:
Families and other small groups hustling along 7th and Patricia, skates dangling from their hands and walking through the (well plowed) sidewalks toward the Plaza. The vehicles normally barrelling down Dominion forced to crawl along at 35 km/hr because of all the increased foot traffic.
…
People who had eaten downtown were heading over to the Plaza for the event. We saw groups of people leaving Crossroads and The Black Clover clearly choosing to walk, not drive. Parents bringing their kids over from the Canfor pool to see what was going on.
…
People do like to go downtown when there’s something worth going downtown for and maybe, just maybe, they will stick around if the deal is enticing enough.
There’s also some very nice pictures:
And other people posted them, too!
I really have nothing to add. I’ve come to the opinion that the 2015 Canada Winter Games were an important point in showcasing what the city would be like if there was an enticing downtown on a daily (nightly) basis and I’m glad the city seems to have largely recognized that, reutilizing the civic plaza for that festival atmosphere when it can. Having the tourism office there may make things harder for people in RVs passing through town who need a place to park but it does make things easier for things like this to happen so…. progress? A night at a time.
5,218 new housing units needed by 2026
Monday’s council meeting has an updated housing needs report. This is a new provincial requirement every five years and is a pretty quick read but if you need the summary:
This projection considers several key factors: Extreme Core Housing Need (306 units by 2026, increasing to 1,224 by 2041), Persons Experiencing Homelessness (498 units required by 2026 and 995 by 2041), and Suppressed Household Formation (175 units needed by 2026, rising to 699 by 2041). Additionally, Anticipated Growth contributes the largest demand, with 3,652 units required in the short term and 7,234 units in the long term. Adjustments for the Rental Vacancy Rate and Additional Local Demand account for an additional 21 units and 566 units by 2026, respectively, increasing to 85 and 2,265 units by 2041. Together, these components highlight the significant need for new housing to meet existing gaps and projected growth in the community.
You can also read the Citizen report here.
Also on the agenda for Monday (via the city’s Facebook page)
Council will consider updating its strategic plan for 2025. The strategic plan includes a vision, mission, and values and four strategic pillars including: City government and infrastructure, economic diversity and growth, social health and well-being, and environmental stewardship and climate action.
Council will consider support for a grant application of up to $500,000 to support the analysis of economic feasibility and potential benefit of establishing a life sciences sector in Prince George, in partnership with UNBC, Lheidli T'enneh, and Northern Health. If successful, it could result in a new facility built at the UNBC campus, upgrades to Northern Health facilities, and life sciences private sector investment within the City’s key clusters such as pharmaceutical and medicine manufacturing and scientific research and development services.
News roundup:
B.C.’s new forests minister has already visited Prince George and Vanderhoof.
City of Prince George administration floats purchase of rental grader.
New seniors' community proposed for southwest Prince George.
Nechako Watershed Roundtable hosting workshop – ‘The Water That Connects Us’.
Community asked to help local woman fight cancer in gofundme campaign.
Fundraiser for Mavrik’s battle with cancer exceeds expectations.
Prince George's Selen Alpay honoured by educators for commitment to youth.
The Citizen’s Throwback Thursday has some past Christmas events.
A dog on the weather report:
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Send feedback by emailing northerncapitalnews@gmail.com. Find me online at akurjata.ca.