Victoria’s Vital Signs®

Key findings of this year’s Vital Signs indicate that Victorians are concerned with gaps in our social safety net. Hence, we are donating more to groups such as the United Way. Our local economy is strong — we have a high rate of employment and increased tourism and retail sales revenue. Housing is by far our greatest concern. In addition to homelessness — housing affordability and availability, and the ability to earn a living wage are major issues facing Victorians.

Things We’re Doing Well

Victoria’s Vital Signs with the highest grades:

United Way Campaign - The Victoria United Way campaign raised $6.3 million in 2007, compared with $5.6 million in 2006.

Cruise Ship Traffic - In 2007, 182 cruise ships and 16 pocket cruise ships brought 335,570 passengers to Victoria.

Festivals - The City of Victoria provided financial support to 28 festivals in 2008 compared to 19 in 2007.

Composite Learning Index - In 2008, the Composite Learning Index (a measure that combines data from a variety of areas to determine the state of lifelong learning in a community) for Greater Victoria continued to climb to 93, compared to 84 in 2007 and 80 in 2006.

Library Use - Greater Victoria public libraries circulated 16.4 items for every resident in 2006, similar to the 16.5 items per resident in 2005, but higher than the 14.6 in 2000.

Things We Need to Do Better

Victoria’s Vital Signs with the lowest grades:

Rental Unit Availability - Greater Victoria had a net loss of 238 rental units between 2006 and 2007.

Social Housing Waitlist - As of March 2008, there were 919 families, 481 seniors, 437 people with disabilities, 42 single people and 13 people needing wheelchair access on the social housing waitlist in the Capital Region.

Childcare - In January 2008, there were 17,325 children 5 years and under in the Capital Region, over three times more than the 5,161 registered child care spaces.

Living Wage - In the Capital Region, 27.2% of two-parent families with two children earn less than a living wage.

Illicit Drug Use - In 2006, there were 6.4 deaths for every 100,000 people age 19 – 64 from illicit drug use in the Capital Region, up from 3.1 in 2005.