Workforce housing badly needed, says West Vancouver Teachers’ Association

WEST VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – The head of the West Vancouver Teachers’ Association wants civic politicians to think about making it easier for her members to not just work, but live in the community.

The push surrounds the issue of workforce housing.

The idea is to make housing affordable for those who may make a decent salary but still don’t have the means to live close to their place of employment.

Renee Willock with the Association says giving the staff proposal the greenlight would allow teachers the chance to be part of the community year-round.

“I had the luxury of having my children go to school in the same school district as I was teaching in. It was amazing to be part of that community, as a parent and as a teacher.”

Willock says many teachers find it too expensive to live in West Vancouver, which she says is a big loss to the community.

“Teachers are commuting long distances, and that’s having an impact on how they do their work. Teachers want to be involved in the community. They want to volunteer and be involved in activities before and after school. But because of their commute time, they’ve had to cut back on that.”

She fears her members could make a beeline for places where they can not only work but live and become part of the fabric. “I think teachers are going to make a rational choice and they are going to move their work closer to home.”

But Willock says this idea isn’t just for teachers. She believes workforce housing should also be available to nurses and first responders.

She wants to see it on the radar in her and other communities, especially with the civic election on the horizon.

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