City of Chilliwack is taking on its housing related challenges with a new planning position.
Closing date for the brand-new "social development coordinator" position is later this month.
The newest member of the Planning and Strategic Initiatives staff is being hired to address some of the most pressing issues affecting Chilliwack, like homelessness and affordable housing.
Even though housing is technically a provincial matter, Chilliwack officials nonetheless have been working closely with the 42 multi-agency partners of Chilliwack Healthier Community on these related matters.
“While homelessness, affordable housing, health and addiction recovery are the responsibility of the Provincial government, the City of Chilliwack has been active in advocating for funding from higher levels of government for our community," said Mayor Sharon Gaetz.
They've lobbied and met with local MLAs and Housing Minister Rich Coleman to brainstorm solutions, and the new city staffer will build on that foundation.
"The position of Social Development Coordinator was recently created to provide full-time support for the implementation of our Homelessness Action Plan and the Healthier Community Strategic Action Plan," said Gaetz.
"This will enable our Manager of Long Range Planning (Karen Stanton) to return focus to other long-range planning projects, such as neighbourhood planning.”
That new staffer will be responsible for "researching, planning, developing, coordinating and evaluating policies, plans and strategies" to address housing-related challenges.
The job-listing includes this requirement of prospective candidates: "You have a deep understanding of the social issues surrounding homelessness in the City of Chilliwack and the non-profit sector, public and private sector related resources and stakeholders…"You have skills in project management and conflict resolution, and demonstrate a high degree of versatility and adaptability to changing circumstances. Knowledge of municipal planning processes and policy is preferred."
The salary range is $77k to $96k, and candidates apply at jobs.chilliwack.com to create an on-line profile. The posting closes Oct. 21.