Our Story

Housing for Young People

Nanaimo’s Housing Needs Report published in 2023 honed in on the need for affordable housing for young people in a variety of circumstances. The report said:

• “Housing affordability is a primary concern for low-income youth, youth involved with the foster care system, or youth living on their own for the first time.
  Youth typically have lower incomes and cannot compete for rental units. Youth moving out on their own for the first time, often earning entry-level wages, are challenged to find available and adequate rental housing they can afford. They can be discriminated against in their housing search due to their age, especially when they do not yet have references. A lack of references or housing history were barriers exacerbated during COVID-19 when young people had to apply for and view rental units virtually.
• Vancouver Island University is currently developing over 250 student housing units; this will help to ease the shortage of student housing. Students and prospective students report high cost of housing to be a barrier to receiving post-secondary education.
• Gaps in youth homelessness prevention and response services have been reported in Nanaimo and across central and northern Vancouver Island. Youth transitional housing options are identified, both to prevent homelessness and provide an opportunity for youth to build tenancy history and associated skills.”

In a proposal for new housing in 2023, NYSA said “While there have been a great number of similar housing options developed by the private sector over the past three years, it is obvious that young people are being priced out of the rental market. NYSA has undertaken two surveys over the past 18 months and both made it clear that a young person, or couple who have graduated university and now are holding down their first or second career job cannot afford to remain in Nanaimo because of housing costs.”

Given the current average rent (December 2023) of $1,850 (Zumper.com, 2024) per month for a one-bedroom unit, a renter would have to make $6,167 per month or $74,000 per year to live comfortably. The average wage in Nanaimo is currently $46,196 (Talent.com, 2024).

It is clear that, whether it’s a youth trying to go to university, a young graduate trying to make ends meet in their first job, or someone in a minimum-wage job, the chance of finding an affordable place to live is virtually impossible.

NYSA Mission

Our mission is to provide learning opportunities and support to youth so that they can succeed on their path to independence, while acknowledging that individuals are affected by their physical, mental, emotional and spiritual wellbeing.

NYSA Vision

Modelling a culture that instills independence, self-worth and a sense of agency in young people in a welcoming, secure and respectful environment.