Recently, we interviewed 105 low-income Kootenay-based residents to learn about the interviewees’ basic needs, especially housing and transportation in implementing the 100% renewable energy transition. Among those interviewed, 85 were Farms to Friends participants, racialized, and low-income residents. Here are the recommendations made:
- Prioritizing creating permanent, energy-efficient, and affordable housing for vulnerable people
- Ensuring housing is near community services and accessible transportation
- Increasing public transit in areas with a concentration of lower-income residents
- Creating service on Sundays
- Making public transportation free for seniors, children, youth, unhoused, and low-income residents
- Ensuring sidewalk safety and accessibility
- Supporting more options for community ride sharing
- Prioritize hiring residents from marginalized communities to develop their skills and to do the on-the-ground work
- Offering more education and community engagement for community gardens and community kitchen and cooking spaces
- Advocating the municipal, provincial and federal government for a guaranteed livable income for all
13 communities in the Kootenays have committed to transitioning to 100% renewable energy across all sectors no later than 2050. We needed to chat with those most vulnerable to uncover how the West Kootenay 100% Renewable Energy Plan affects and supports them.
Click here to read the full report.
Would you like to get involved? Click here to sign your name in support of a Guaranteed Livable Income for all. Having a guaranteed livable income will ensure that every Canadian is able to meet their basic needs and be part of healthy, equitable, and sustainable communities.