The housing issues in the Bonnyville/Cold Lake region are well documented and don't appear to be letting up any time soon. Apartment complexes coming down the line in both communities should help alleviate some pressure.
But when the market-system is too slow to respond to a severe supply and demand problem, like the one in this region, someone or something else has to step up and provide a solution.
Hats off to the Lakeland Catholic School District (LCSD) for taking the issue of housing its employees into its own hands and providing limited but much-needed access to living space for teachers and administrators throughout the district.
Facing the housing issue head on, as employees are leaving the area because they are unable to find a place to live, the LCSD purchased a four-plex in Cold Lake, which is set to be available to house up to 12 teachers for the start of the fall semester.
The school board had plans to purchase housing in Bonnyville, but none was available, according to board chair Mary-Anne Penner.
Despite the fact that this is clearly only a small part of a larger solution, credit ought to be given to the school board for stepping up in tough times to provide access to something as basic as housing.
