Greater Victoria residents polled for the annual Vital Signs report think the region’s quality of life has dropped slightly over the past year, notably due to pocketbook issues.
The Victoria Foundation’s check-up, which measures how residents feel about the region’s vitality, surveyed a record 5,319 people for this year’s report. Respondents gave the region a B grade for overall quality of life, slightly down from a B+ last year.
Housing and the cost of living continued to be people’s most important issues.
“Now, more than ever, we need to work collaboratively so we can move from hope to change and improve our collective well-being,” said Sandra Richarson, the Victoria Foundation’s CEO.
The region gave itself a D grade on housing, with that representing the lowest score out of the 12 quality of life indicators the report looked at. Seventy-six per cent said the availability of affordable rental housing that could meet their needs is below average or poor.
“Addressing Victoria’s housing crisis requires strategic, insightful, and creative options to bring climate-ready, community-owned affordable rental units to the market,” the report stated.
Despite getting the worst grade, housing was the second biggest concern, with almost 70 per cent of respondents listing the region’s cost of living as their top issue. Homelessness and health care also ranked among people’s top issues, while locals said the best things about Greater Victoria are the natural environment, the climate, parks and air quality.
According to respondents, the top five areas that need to be addressed are affordable housing, social issues like mental health and homelessness, public safety, public transportation and the cost of living.
The economy, safety and transportation all scored a C+, while a C for a section that looked at immigrants, young people and children “getting started” rounding out some of the lowest grades. Environmental sustainability saw an improvement from last year’s report, going from a B- to a B. Safety, learning, and sports and recreation all saw a decrease in their score from 2022’s report.
Only 41 per cent of those surveyed agree that Black, Indigenous and People of Colour have equal opportunities and are treated as equals, with seven in 10 saying there should be more opportunities to support cross-cultural education and connection. BIPOC respondents were less likely to feel respected in the region, with just over half saying they did.
Seven in 10 people feel connected to the community. Sixty-four per cent said they’re satisfied with their work-life balance.
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