Local Chamber Looks to Make Bold Moves to Tackle Affordable Housing

The Chamber of Commerce Seeks Community Support to Advance Innovative Policy Aimed to Tackle Affordable Housing

The Kamloops & District Chamber of Commerce are petitioning the Federal Government to explore implementing a Community Land Trust tax policy that will tackle affordable housing in Kamloops and across Canada. They need 500 signatures from Canadian residents to push this initiative forward. 

The policy was created by Chamber Board Director and CEO of O’Leary & Associates, Colin O’Leary, who says that the idea of the land trusts policy is to mimic a proven model, the ecological gift program, which has unlocked almost $1 billion dollars in private equity for ecological preservation – imagine mobilizing a similar tool to provide affordable housing for the public good. The secret to a Community Land Trust model is that it takes the “land” out of the picture and instead holds it forever, for the public benefit – so future generations will always have affordable housing. And we are all better off by doing that.”

Executive Director, Acacia Pangilinan, adds “creativity is key to tackle highly complex issues like affordable housing, I am thrilled to see this policy being supported by the BC Chamber of Commerce, the Canadian Chamber of Commerce and Mr. Frank Caputo M.P. – this is homegrown advocacy work that can make a positive impact on all Canadians”

Community Land Trusts exist across Canada and around the world. Many of them have received global recognition, such a Puerto Rico Community Land Trust which was awarded UN World Habitat Award or the Champlain Housing Trust which was founded by Bernie Sanders in 1984 and is still providing affordable housing today in Burlington, Vermont nearly 4 decades later. 

To make this a reality in Canada, 500 residents from across the country are needed to sign the online petition and help move this initiative forward. There are currently 92 signatures. The Chamber encourages people to review the policy and sign the petition at kamloopschamber.ca.

---

---

Photos