Richmond Poverty Response Committee

Affordable Housing Tenant Townhall: May 31

admin — Mon, 14 May 2012 21:28:26 +0000

The next phase of the Richmond Rental Connect project is happening on May 31st. We are hosting a town hall discussion on issues of affordable housing, and looking at solutions for creating more affordable options for renters. Everyone is welcome. If you would like to attend, please RSVP to info@richmondprc.org or 604-205-4700

May 3rd PRC Meeting: Note the date change

admin — Wed, 02 May 2012 04:21:11 +0000

Thursday, May 3rd 2012, 4:30-6:00

Richmond Caring Place, 7000 Minoru Boulevard

Our apologies for the short notice, we need to change ourPRC meeting back to its regular time of Thursday, May 3 at 4:30 at the Richmond Caring Place,Room 345. We had a scheduling change in an event for Rental Connect that necessitatedthis change. We hope that you will attend on Thursday to find out what hasbeen happening with Rental Connect and find out about our plans for May.

Minutes of the April meeting will beavailable on Thursday.

Agenda:

1) Introductions

2) Approval of Agenda/additions

3) Approval of Minutes for April Minutes

4) Update on Rental Connect – Landlord event held April 16 and Tenant Events in May – De Whalen and Lynda Brummitt

5) Report from Communications Coordinator – Tria Donaldson

6) Gaps in Service

7) Task Force Reports

Finances
Affordable Housing /RichmondHomelessness Coalition
Transportation

8) Next meeting: Thursday, May 7, 2012 at 4:30 at Caring Place

May 10th Youth Housing Dialogue Postponed.

admin — Sat, 28 Apr 2012 22:35:55 +0000

May 10, 2012 - 6:00 pm to 8:30 pm - The Richmond Poverty Response Committee has postponed the youth dialogue on affordable housing until May 31st. This event will be part of a larger, community wide discussion. Details coming soon!

Report Back: April 16th Rental Connect Landlord Circle

admin — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 20:16:24 +0000

On April 16th, the Richmond Poverty Response Committee held a landlord dialogue on topics related to affordable housing and secondary suites. The event was a huge success with over 30 participants. The room was evenly split between current landlords, and homeowners who are thinking about creating a secondary suite. We had informative presentations and displays , featuring

Dena Kae Beno from the City of Richmond on the process of creating secondary suites, and Jabeen Janmohamed from BC Housing speaking about the HAFI grant.

This event was the first step in developing Richmond Rental Connect – a project to encourage development of affordable secondary suites in Richmond, and to develop an online registry to match landlords with tenants in need of affordable housing.

Participants answered four questions about secondary suites and affordable housing. You can read the results of the dialogue here. If you were unable to attend, but would still like to give feedback, you can fill out this online form.

Thanks again to our presenters, our funders, and our amazing participants! Not to forget the amazing folks at the Richmond Civic Engagement Network for help facilitating.

Richmond Shares: Plants and Seeds Sale

admin — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 19:36:33 +0000

Help support our friends at Richmond Share by attending and donating to their plant and seeds sale on May 6th.

If you would like to provide donations of plants or seeds to help the event, please contact the Richmond Women’s Resource Centre at 604 279 7060 or drop it off on May 6^th from 9am to 10 am.

Rental Connect Conversation Circle – April 16th

admin — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 18:35:59 +0000

On April 16th, join us for a conversation circle about creating and renting secondary suites in your home. It’s part of a new housing initiative, “Richmond Rental Connect”, sponsored by the Richmond Poverty Response Committee. We want to build a program that helps alleviate Richmond’s housing crunch while helping homeowners diversify their income. You can find out important and useful information, and help us to make this initiative successful.

If you are a landlord of a secondary suite or if are you thinking of creating one in your home, please join us to have your questions answered and your ideas heard.

The evening will feature:

* Tips on how to transform your unused space and enhance your income

* Information about government grants available for your renovation

* A question and answer session about renting

* Displays, and a landlord resource kit you can take home

* A chance to meet and learn from other landlords of secondary suites

* Light dinner and refreshments

* Mandarin, Cantonese and Punjabi translation available

Date: Monday April 16, 2012

Time: 6.00 pm to 8.30 pm

Location: Richmond Caring Place, Room 340

7000 Minoru Boulevard (at Granville Avenue

Please RSVP by April 9th. Register by email at info@richmondprc.org or by phone at 604.205.4700.

April 18th – Affordable Housing Task Force Meeting

admin — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 23:53:37 +0000

The RPRC Affordable Housing Task Force will meet on Wednesday, April 18 at 5:00 pm – 6:30 pm at Richmond Caring Place, 7000 Minoru Boulevard. We will be debriefing the first event of the Rental Connect Project. Rental Connect is the major project of Richmond Poverty Response Committee for 2012, your input and advice is valued. Agenda for the meeting.

Check out the minutes from January, 2012 meeting.

RSVP is appreciated: please email info@richmondprc.org

April 5th: Richmond PRC Meeting

admin — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 16:52:55 +0000

Thursday, April 5th, 2012 from 4:30pm – 6pm

Richmond Caring Place, 7000 Minoru Boulevard

Monthly meeting of Richmond Poverty Response Committee – The Rental Connect Project will be the focus of our meeting. We are preparing for an event for Richmond homeowners/landlords and we are interested in your feedback about our plans and ideas for making this kickoff event a success. Updates will be provided on the after hours community card and Living Wage campaign. Agenda can be found here.

As always an RSVP is appreciated: info@richmondprc.org

Housing and food still out of reach for too many in BC – New Report

admin — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 01:49:07 +0000

“Two significant reports were released this week that shine a light on the crisis of poverty we face as a province. Cost of Eating in B.C. 2011 found that healthy food is unaffordable for the poorest people in B.C. And the final Metro Vancouver Homeless Count report reveals that 2,650 people were homeless in 2011. Together, they paint a picture that shows that the basic necessities of housing and food are out of reach to many in our province.

In fact, according to Cost of Eating, families and individuals on income assistance must choose between having a roof over their heads and eating nutritious food. Inadequate welfare rates mean that a family of four spends 60 per cent of its income on rent and then has only $744 each month for food, transportation, clothing and all other basic necessities. The average healthy food basket costing $868 a month is out of reach, leaving that family hungry and poorly nourished.”

Read more of this opinion editorial written by our Organizer, Trish Garner, published in The Province yesterday.

More information on food insecurity, homelessness, and the provincial budget:
Cost of Eating in B.C. 2011 (from one of our members: Dietitians of Canada, BC Region)
Metro Vancouver Homeless Count 2011 Final Report
Children and Youth get Slim Pickings in Budget 2012 (from one of our members: First Call: BC Child and Youth Advocacy Coalition)

This posting was brought to you by the BC Poverty Reduction Coalition

March 1st: Richmond PRC Meeting

admin — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 01:16:52 +0000

Thursday, March 1st, 2012 from 4:30pm – 6pm

Richmond Caring Place

This meeting will feature an update on Rental Connect a new PRC project to provide a web based rental directory of affordable rental in Richmond. There are lots of ways to become involved in this project, find out how you skills and interests can be put to work for the benefit of our community. There will also be updates on a Living Wage Campaign for Richmond.

As always an RSVP is appreciated: info@richmondprc.org