New Victoria advisory committee organizing to help renters

Victoria city council has given the green light tothe creation of a renters' advisory committee, in hopes of helping regulate the rental situation in B.C.'s capital city.

This, after city councillors Sharmarke Dubow and Jeremy Lovedayfirst introduced amotion to that effect in November, 2018.

"We are in the midst of an acute housing crisis in Victoria," Loveday told CBCOn The Island's guest host,Khalil Akhtar. "This crisis most impacts people without security of tenure for their homes."

Loveday said that about 60 per cent of Victoria's residents are renters, and that renters have historically been underrepresented in city council's decision making processes.

12 volunteers needed

According to the city's website, the committee is tasked withprovidingadvice to council on matters involving renting, including improving conditions for renters, the impacts of provincial and federal legislation on renters and enhancing the inclusion of renters in developing municipal policy.

But before the committee can begin advising city council, it needs members.

The city says it is looking for 12 volunteers, to be appointed by city council, who will serve a two-year term on the committee, along with two city councillors.

Loveday said ideal candidates will have experience with rentingor have been advocates for renters.

"I think there is a very diverse set of experiences that renters have in the city, whether that be senior citizens,or families, or people with disabilitiesor people in unique living situations that the city might not be aware of or have their their needs or their ideas on our radar," he said.

Landlords, however, need not apply.

"In my experience over the last four years, I definitely haven't noticed a lack of representation from landlords or their advocates," Loveday said.

It's uncertain what the committee will offer city council in itsfirst term, but Loveday said he is confident that its existence will increase renters' voices in municipal politics.

"I don't want to predict what this committee will present to council and what their advice will be, but I do think we will greatly benefit from hearing from the diversity of Victoria's renters and getting those perspectives into city hall."

The deadline to apply to join the renters' advisory committee is Jan.17.

With files from On The Island

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