Who participates in HFL?
Broadly speaking, we are a mix of homeowners and renters, including policy analysts, mapping/zoning specialists, students, and more. We are community volunteers who are passionate about making Victoria more affordable for primary homeowners and renters. Our Discord chat is public, like other social platforms, so we welcome everyone to join and support our efforts, regardless of their background (including developers and politicians).
Who are the members of HFL?
While our chat is open to all, voting members of the society cannot be developers or politicians. This ensures our advocacy and decisions focus on residents, free from industry or political influence.
Who funds HFL?
We are a volunteer-driven non-profit incorporated under the BC Societies Act. Most years we are funded entirely by membership dues. During election periods we may run campaigns and accept donations outside our member base, however donations from developers and politicians are still strictly prohibited. All donations are screened by us to prevent outside influence, and we uphold these standards by declining and returning any restricted funds. We have never accepted funding from developers or politicians.
What are we trying to achieve?
We advocate in our communities for effective, data-driven policies to solve the housing crisis. During election years, we put more effort into transparently casting a light on what councillors support or don’t support so that people can pressure them to support policies that are the most impactful. Every councillor pays lip service to affordability, but we want to show with data which of them are actually attempting to make it more affordable through bold action, rather than maintaining the status quo, which in turn will only worsen affordability.
If you would like to know more about us, join our Discord chat or email us.
HFL Directors:
Sam believes that the first step in building a vibrant and sustainable community is to fix the housing crisis. His interest in transportation and urban planning stems from a childhood of joyfully riding trolleys, trams, busses, and trains. Today, he sees every day the impact of decades of anti-housing policy in the struggle that friends and family have finding housing in BC.
Phil and his family love living in the CRD. He is passionate about improving home affordability and addressing climate change. He joined Homes for Living as a volunteer as densification, building the missing middle, and rezoning merge these passions.
Erin's concerns about the ramifications unaffordable and insecure housing have on her family & her generation motivated her to volunteer. She is hopeful that HFL's proposed policy changes will have a positive effect on affordability, equality, and climate action, resulting in a more liveable city.
After buying a house and having his eyes opened to the insane lack of affordable housing, Nathan created HFL so that people could organize to fix the affordability crisis in Victoria.
Luna’s interest in housing and transportation stems from her personal experiences growing up in Victoria, where she witnessed the growing housing crisis and the lack of meaningful action to address it. She hopes to help prevent others from experiencing these challenges.
Robert is a life-long Victoria resident that is unhappy seeing housing shortages & price escalation displace his friends. He believes that municipal reform to legalize cheaper housing is our best tool for addressing our overlapping affordability, climate, transportation & livability challenges.
Jack grew up in Victoria and wants to stay, but is struggling to afford life in the city he loves. He believes that good housing policy is a key factor in solving not just the housing crisis, but the climate crisis as well. He is passionate about all things urbanism.
Leo lives with his family in Saanich and has been analyzing the Victoria real estate market since 2010. Leo hopes his kids will continue to be able to live in Victoria when they grow up, and is interested in working towards a more affordable and sustainable future.
