OUR FIVE FOCUS AREAS ARE
This forum focuses on five key priorities that directly affect you,
your community, and the future of Oceanside
Increase Affordable & Non-Market Housing
1
2
Support Housing
Diversity and Supply
3
Promote & Protect
Rental Housing
4
Reduce Barriers
to Housing
5
Strengthen Partnerships
& Build Awarness
Affordable housing is about far more than buildings, it is the foundation that allows our neighbors to stay rooted in Oceanside, close to work, school, healthcare and community.
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​When workers, families, and seniors can afford to live near the places they rely on, our local businesses thrive, our schools stay vibrant, and our entire region grows stronger.
WHY HOUSING MATTERS IN OCEANSIDE
Local Businesses & Tourism
When workers can afford to live near their jobs, our local encomony and visitor sector remain resilient and strong
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Families & Schools
Stable housing keeps young families in the region, directly supporting school enrollment and community stability
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Seniors
Accessible, non-market and supportive housing allows seniors to age in place and prevents homelessness for precariously housed residents
Community Health
Expanding affordable housing options creates a ripple effect improving public health
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Oceanside Non-Market Housing Table
Our Purpose
Work collaboratively to develop recommendations for strategies and actions designed to achieve greater housing supply, affordability and diversity and accommodate a broad range of affordable and non-market housing needs now and into the future for the municipalities of Parksville and Qualicum Beach and Areas E, F, G and H of the Regional District of Nanaimo.
Our Background
In June of 2023, an Oceanside community forum was convened by the Society of Organized Services (SOS), the Oceanside Task Force on Homelessness (OTFH) and the Naut’sa mawt Oceanside Wellness Network (formerly OHWN) to discuss the housing crisis impacting the Oceanside area. Twenty-three members of the Oceanside community shared their concerns and advocated for an Oceanside Regional Non-Market Housing Action Table to provide recommendations to address the concerns.
Our Work
In June 2024, we hosted our second Oceanside community forum to share housing data and bring together affordable housing advocates. The forum resulted in the creation of a partner table focused on five priorities to advance housing solutions through advocacy and collaboration.
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Since then, partners have worked together to support workforce housing initiatives and advance affordable housing solutions. A key achievement was the development of A Guide to Developing Non-Market Housing, which helps community organizations and residents navigate the process of accessing or developing land for non-market housing projects. Over the past two years, we have met with local organizations to explore housing opportunities on available land. Partners have also shared housing data with community networks and local councils, demonstrating the effects of housing shortages on workers, seniors, families, and tourism. Together, we continue to advocate for affordable housing as both a homelessness prevention strategy and a critical step in helping people transition to stable housing.
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Oceanside Non-Market Housing Table Members 2025/2026
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Susanna Newton
Brandon Riopka,
Mary Beil
Renata Sutherland
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Diana Groffen
Scott Harrison
Duncan Scott
Jean Young
Facilitator - Jane Vinet