School District 5 (SD5) is supporting School District No. 70 (SD70) in calling for provincial funding to assist to build new housing for teachers and staff in rural or remote communities.
A letter written by SD70 to the Ministry of Education and Child Care and the Ministry of Infrastructure requesting support for staff housing has been reviewed by SD5, which agrees with the proposal.
With a serious housing crisis going on across Canada, particularly in small rural communities, school districts are struggling to attract and keep qualified teachers citing the lack of affordable housing. In some cases, candidates have turned down teaching jobs after being unable to find housing in the area.
SD5 has acquired land next to a school for such housing but said it does not have the funds required to build the units.
The district is now working with SD70 on a joint motion to present at the 2026 B.C. School Trustees Association annual general meeting. Officials believe a united front could give the motion more influence with the provincial government.
SD5 has asked SD70 to collaborate on the proposal and share any feedback.
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