Community Ponders Secondary Suite Project

Vicki Sanders
Saanich News - May 07, 2008

Saanich with an average housing cost in excess of $500,000 faces the challenge of attracting people and, once here, having them remain. Housing affordability, uppermost in people’s minds these days, is not about being able to afford to live in the Uplands. It is about people spending more than 30 per cent of their income on food and shelter.
The Camosun Community Association recently brought together a panel representing Saanich, the region and the community. The impetus was Saanich’s draft official community plan, which suggests housing affordability options: granny suites, flex suites and secondary suites.
The community association wondered how these housing options, particularly secondary suites, would fit in their neighbourhood. Would it create neighbourhoods with a greater diversity of ages or alter the character of the neighbourhoods or create greater problems of parking and traffic? Would aging homeowners be able to stay in their homes while confronted with the need for care and the increasing costs of living?
By providing a “nanny suite” or mortgage helper would young people be able to become homeowners? Would this provide safe accommodation for the increasing needs of UVic and Camosun students?
The community association felt the answers for their community could be found in testing the options and encouraged Saanich to accelerate the concept of a community pilot project to test secondary suites.

Strawberry Vale Resident's Association's Farmers Market

The opening of Strawberry Vale Resident's Association's farmer's market on April 19 was greeted by a freak snowfall.

The Market is open every Saturday at 10am at the Strawberry Vale Community Hall on Burnside Road. Great local produce available.