Greater Victoria residents point to the high cost of food and housing as the single most important issue facing the region, a new report from the Victoria Foundation shows.
The eighth edition of Victoria’s Vital Signs says the vast majority of respondents to an online survey reported feeling happy (89 per cent), supported (90 per cent) and satisfied with their work (78 per cent).
But when pressed to identify the region’s key issues, 47 per cent picked the high cost of living ahead of 11 other concerns, including mental illness, housing, homelessness and health care.
The economy finished in 12th spot with just 11 per cent selecting it as the top issue for the region.
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MORE ON THE VITAL SIGNS SURVEY:
- Vital Signs: C is for capital’seconomy
- Vital Signs: Economic impact of arts and culture on the rise; number of artists declines
- Vital Signs: Region lags averages in police contingents
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Sandra Richardson, the foundation’s chief executive officer, said Greater Victoria’s cost of living has moved to the forefront as people increasingly struggle with food and housing costs.
“Where I really notice it is usually in discussions with our youth,” she said, noting that many have trouble covering their rent and post-secondary tuition.
The report notes that after paying for housing, many families and individuals have little money left to buy nutritious food and increasing numbers are turning to food banks for help.
Mental illness was identified as the second most important issue, moving up from 10th spot a year ago. About 20 per cent of respondents cited the issue as a major concern.
Richardson said the survey results often reflect the fact that an issue has become a hot topic in the media or the community.
“People start to look at the conversations that are taking place and will think that this is something that we should do something about, and mental illness is certainly one of those areas,” she said.
The charitable foundation, which matches donors to worthy causes, uses the annual Vital Signs report to identify areas that could use additional support, Richardson said.
A total of 1,186 people took part in the online survey. They were asked to assign a grade to 12 key issues and list the top three things that should be celebrated in each area as well as the three that require improvements.
Most areas, from transportation to safety to health, earned a B grade. The two exceptions were housing, which got a C, and the economy, which got a C-plus.
On housing, people called for improvements in affordability for both homeowners and renters.
On the economy, survey respondents gave positive marks to the impact of tourism and technical training opportunities, but said the region needs to diversify and provide more support for entrepreneurs and small business.
The survey was conducted by The Praxis Group and is considered accurate to plus or minus three per cent, 19 times out of 20, the report said.
The full report is slated for release today and will be available on the foundation’s website at victoriafoundation.ca.
