Thank you for being part of the housing conversation!
Thank you to everyone who participated in the Community Conversation on Housing Solutions for a Growing Gravelbourg on Thursday, February 29. Approximately 40 people from various sectors assembled in the Cultural Centre auditorium. The Town of Gravelbourg’s Economic Development Officer provided a short presentation on local housing statistics, the lack of rental units, and current and possible incentives to increase housing stock and development.
Representatives from St. Joseph's Hospital voiced the urgent need to find stable accommodations for healthcare workers who want to make Gravelbourg home. Last year, the hospital closed 10 long-term beds due to a staffing shortage. In response to the crisis, the hospital’s recruitment efforts resulted in new hires and the restoration of services. Unfortunately, several staff members will have little choice but to leave our community as, despite the dedicated assistance of hospital administration, they have been unable to find long-term accommodations. Failure to secure housing for these healthcare workers will result in another reduction of services due to insufficient staffing levels. The hospital also has 5-6 additional positions to fill but cannot do so until it can ensure the availability of suitable local housing. This is a crisis that affects everyone in our region. If you have a room, suite, apartment, or house available to rent in Gravelbourg, or, if you are considering property rental or billeting as an income stream, please email edo@gravelbourg.ca.
A productive discussion on possible short and long-term solutions followed the presentations. The EDO provided information on federal, provincial, and municipal housing incentives. Participants discussed rural housing challenges and opportunities for property development including vacant lots, unoccupied houses, secondary suites, and property management assistance. The EDO will compile a comprehensive summary of the meeting to inform an administrative review of the zoning bylaw and property tax incentives.
The Town of Gravelbourg thanks the Centre Culturel Maillard for hosting the event and Moe’s Kitchen for providing delicious snacks. We are grateful that so many residents took time out of their busy lives to participate in this important discussion. Proactive and productive public discourse is integral to a healthy community.