Housing help for CFB Esquimalt benefits our region

The Chamber applauds news of a Canadian Armed Forces housing benefit that will help make life a little more affordable for people stationed at CFB Esquimalt. With one of the higher costs of living in the country, Greater Victoria is a challenging region for employers looking to find and keep employees. This is amplified when people living in areas with lower housing costs are asked to move here for their job.

The Canadian Forces Housing Differential takes effect July 1 and replaces the current allowance for members of the military living in expensive communities. The new benefit is tied to income to help lower earning members.

The Chamber is also supportive of ongoing efforts to develop more housing for CFB Esquimalt members. The Department of National Defence has previously announced plans for an 84-unit apartment on the base.

"This is a great example of how non-market housing can help add homes to our region's housing supply that are catered to the needs of a specific employer or sector," Chamber CEO Bruce Williams said. "This will eventually allow for more market homes to be available to people in other industries."