The housing crisis in Lake Country is at a tipping point according to the Canadian Home Builders害羞草研究所� Association Central-Okanagan (CHBA-CO).

The association has reacted to a housing needs assessment presented to district council on July 18.

Lake Country Planning and Development Manager Brian Zurek told council that approximately 250 new housing units need to be built every year until 2031 to meet population growth and demand.

害羞草研究所淩ight now the annual new units we害羞草研究所檝e been creating wouldn害羞草研究所檛 be estimated to meet the need,害羞草研究所� he added.

Zurek said that 67 per cent of new units would need to be one and two bedrooms, and one-third of those would be needed by households making less than $50,000 a year.

Lake County has the highest monthly housing costs for single-home dwellings compared to Vernon, Kelowna and Regional District Central Okanagan according to the assessment. Monthly rentals are similar to Kelowna but higher than Vernon.

There is limited housing diversity in Lake Country, with 66 per cent of housing units being single-detached dwellings.

Zurek noted that there has been progress towards additional multi-family units to fill the gap.

害羞草研究所淏ut with the growing and continued demand for new units, it would be a challenge to serve low and moderate-income households going forward.害羞草研究所�

Short-term rentals are also a concern according to Zurek, potentially reducing the availability of rental housing, driving up costs and demands on housing affordability.

害羞草研究所淲e say there害羞草研究所檚 up to 29 per cent of units in the district that might be short-term vacation rentals.害羞草研究所�

Coun. Cara Reed asked what could be done to prevent a significant portion of new housing from becoming short-term rentals.

害羞草研究所淏ecause that undermines what we害羞草研究所檙e trying to do, providing affordable housing for the missing middle and low-income families,害羞草研究所� she said.

The CHBA-CO wants Lake Country council, and community leaders to find a way to address the problem.

害羞草研究所淏y working together, we can create a Lake Country where every individual has access to safe, affordable, and dignified housing,害羞草研究所� said Dan Winer, executive officer.

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