Lower North Shore Housing Needs Assessment

Communities in rural remote regions often struggle with access to services across the province and other parts of Canada. These access issues are often worsened during times of crisis. A significant problem facing rural communities is the current housing structure for vulnerable people. For example, those requiring palliative care services, or facing mental health and dependency issues, are particularly confronted with issues when trying to secure or obtain stable housing, or access to supportive housing programs and services. In 2017, the federal government announced its first ever National Housing Strategy for Canadians, with a goal of making sure Canadians across the country can access housing that meets their needs and that they can afford. With the witnessed economic downturns, poverty and unemployment rates of the region, it was necessary to investigate whether the Lower North Shore was also providing access to housing that meets the needs of all citizens.