Terrace, B.C. – A housing plan for Terrace has been developed, and it presents 18 recommendations.

Working on the premise that proposed major industrial projects for the region will bring new workers and residents to the area, the plan looks to address current and future needs in the community.

Regardless of the economic future, the plan identified   housing needs that must be addressed immediately . Those needs include second stage housing or women and children fleeing domestic violence, student housing, supportive and assisted living units for seniors, housing for those with disabilities, transitional housing for those who are too old for foster care and increased capacity for the number of homeless in the community.

In public consultations, there were concerns expressed the housing challenges of today are “the

“tip of the iceberg” or the “strong winds before a hurricane.” The report notes that if the   proposed projects go ahead as planned, “the housing market could deteriorate even further as more people relocate or return to Terrace which would further increase home prices and rents.”

When it comes to temporary workers, the plan notes there are two temporary work camps in Terrace and calls for employers to make block bookings at hotels rather than block rentals of existing rental buildings . The plan also calls on employers to understand that living out allowances are not acceptable.

There are three hotels, one large residential complex and several smaller townhouse project in the advanced planning stages.