TRUSU takes part in Kamloops Homelessness Action Plan

An individual considered "at risk" to homelessness is one that spends more than 30 per cent of their income on housing, explained Nathan Lane, executive director of TRUSU, to the TRUSU council on March 8.

Nathan Lane is a member of the Kamloops Homelessness Action Plan committee, as a representative from TRUSU. He said that some of the goals of this action plan would also benefit students, as well as the Kamloops homeless, by making more rental housing available at an affordable rate.

The Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation stated that the average cost of a two bedroom rental unit in Kamloops was $825 per month in 2009 (according to "Housing Market Outlook" 2009 report).

Students who share an apartment (at $412.50 each per month) would need $1,375 per month to keep their housing costs at the recommended 30 per cent. Does the average student enter a semester with $5,500 in savings for living expenses?

Surveys of Kamloops shelter users, presented in the action plan, made it apparent that some of the users were former TRU students. Current shelter users that had been interviews said that their goal was to return to TRU.

"You can't say that tuition fees don't have an impact on the access," said Natalie Reisle, TRUSU VP External, to the council.

The Homelessness Action Plan aims to eliminate homelessness in Kamloops within five years, Nathan Lane explained to the council, with these six goals:

1) Establish a Local Housing Board

• Discussion of more secondary suites in the Kamloops area.

2) Reduce evictions and have greater housing stability

• Landlords are often hesitant to take on individuals that do not have steady employment and rely on social services.
  

3) Connect people with the help they need.
4) Concentrate on building basic life skills.
5) Improve fairness, accessibility and responsibility
6) Take recommendations from the public

• Hold a forum in April or May