The City of Williams Lake has prioritized the need to understand local housing issues for a long time. The City completed housing need and demand assessments in 2012 and 2014, both of which identified the need to develop more affordable housing in the community. Positive progress has been made since these initial reports were completed, including the delivery of new affordable housing projects.
Housing challenges in Williams Lake and surrounding communities remain however. In 2020, the City of Williams Lake, in collaboration with the Cariboo Regional District (CRD), conducted a housing study; expanding the jurisdictional scope to include the “Central Cariboo” communities of McLeese Lake, Anahim Lake, Nimpo Lake, Tatla Lake, Alexis Creek, Riske Creek, Likely, and Horsefly. This study also meets legislative requirements for local governments to prepare a Housing Needs Assessment.
The District of 100 Mile House and the Cariboo Regional District (CRD) partnered up to undertake a South Cariboo Housing Needs Assessment (HNA).
The areas considered in this HNA included the District of 100 Mile House and CRD Electoral Area G (Lac La Hache / 108 Mile Ranch), Electoral Area H (Canim Lake / Forest Grove), and Electoral Area L (Lone Butte / Interlakes).
Through analysis of Canadian Census data, real estate statistics, local data, key informants, public meetings and an online survey the final report presented showcases challenges and potential recommendations for the area.
Housing needs reports are a way for communities to better understand their current and future housing needs. These reports can help identify existing and projected gaps in housing supply by collecting and analyzing quantitative and qualitative information about local demographics, economics, housing stock, and other factors. A housing needs report is critical to developing a housing strategy or action plan. - BC Government