The Summerland Housing Task Force is hosting a community discussion on the district's housing needs on Jan. 31, 2018, at the Summerland library, beginning at 7 p.m. SUBMITTED

Community conversation to focus on Summerland housing issues

SUMMERLAND – Summerland will be exploring housing options in a community conversation on the subject later this month.

Summerland Housing Task Force chief Erick Thompson says the community conversation will provide an opportunity for groups and individuals to discuss strategies and compare notes.

“There are some great initiatives already underway, and we want everyone to be aware of what each other is doing. Perhaps partnerships can be made, and we can help move these projects along sooner,” Thompson says.

Thompson says there is a lot of conversation about the need for affordable housing, but clarity is lacking on what options and resources are available in Summerland.

“We need to create common dialogue that moves us forward,” he says.

District of Summerland representatives, along with B.C. Housing staff will be on hand to provide brief presentations on the community’s current housing situation, with local stakeholders, including non-profit and faith-based groups on hand to share housing initiatives they are working on.

Those interested in more information on the District of Summerland’s housing situation can find the Affordable Housing Report, released on Jan.8, posted on the District’s website.

The Summerland Housing Task Force was created by the Summerland Chamber of Commerce, a key objective being to help facilitate  housing projects by bringing stakeholders together.

The Jan. 30 community conversation takes place at 7 p.m, at the Summerland library.

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Steve Arstad

I have been looking for news in the South Okanagan - SImilkameen for 20 years, having turned a part time lifelong interest into a full time profession. After five years publishing a local newsletter, several years working as a correspondent / stringer for several local newspapers and seven years as editor of a Similkameen weekly newspaper, I joined iNFOnews.ca in 2014. My goal in the news industry has always been to deliver accurate and interesting articles about local people and places. My interest in the profession is life long - from my earliest memories of grade school, I have enjoyed writing.
As an airborne geophysical surveyor I travelled extensively around the globe, conducting helicopter borne mineral surveys.
I also spent several years at an Okanagan Falls based lumber mill, producing glued-wood laminated products.
As a member of the Kaleden community, I have been involved in the Kaleden Volunteer Fire Department for 22 years, and also serve as a trustee on the Kaleden Irrigation District board.
I am currently married to my wife Judy, of 26 years. We are empty-nesters who enjoy living in Kaleden with our Welsh Terrier, Angus, and cat, Tibbs.
Our two daughters, Meagan and Hayley, reside in Richmond and Victoria, respectively.

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