Today’s provincial budget announcement saw historic investment in affordable housing for students. With just over 300 units, BCIT is one of the least-served postsecondary institutions with respect to student housing. Today’s announcement of $450 million in low-cost financing for affordable student housing is an important step towards enhancing student life.
“Metro Vancouver has some of the lowest rental vacancy rates and least affordable housing anywhere in the world,” noted BCITSA Vice President External Timothy David. “This investment will assist students both directly, by creating new on-campus housing, and indirectly, by helping to take pressure off an overheated rental market. Today’s announcement is the direct result of engagement by the BCITSA and student groups across BC, and is a concrete example of how advocacy by students results in real-life changes that benefit students.”
Other initiatives in the budget include: new funding for skills training for Indigenous students, and large increases in support for child care, meaning that more parents will be able to pursue post-secondary education without having to worry about the high cost of child care.
