10 replies to this topic

[Mike K.]

Please use this thread to discuss the issue of affordable housing in Victoria and how it pertains to the elections.

[Sue Woods]

Canada has the highest home ownership ratio vs socialized housing then most other countries. I think we would benefit from examining that.

Also, we need more rental units, smaller more affordable condos, and socialized co-op housing to make sure our young people can live and work in Victoria, support low income working singles/families, and provide people a basic opportunity to get into the local market so we don't end up as too expensive a city for the averge working person.

Everyone keeps saying housing is a federal issue and we are waiting for their help. I suggest that we stop waiting - and start offering them some innovative options to consider - and never forget that they are just elected officials afterall -with reputations to preserve and elections to win.

In Vancouver they are currently building 250 sq ft condos (I know - tiny) but certainly redefines the amount of space some are prepared to occupy for a short period of time in exchange for a permament piece of the market. We have the Mosaic on Fort street which has served that need but I don't think there has been another project of its kind. I dont understand why not but think its a good question to consider.

I also think that as well as tax incentives, we might review the administrative/permit process at City Hall to make it easier for developers to fill the needs that exist - the solutions we design and call for - rather then a continuation of beautiful condos for millionaire tenants.

Just some thoughts for the mill,
Sue
www.susanwoodsforvictoria.com

[ted - 3 - dots]

We need more rental units, smaller more affordable condos, and socialized housing in Victoria if we are to remain an inclusive and liveable city.

( snip - snip by ted... )

In Vancouver they are currently building 250 sq ft condos (I know - tiny) but it is a way to redefine the amount of liveable space one can occupy in exchange for a piece of the housing market. We have the Mosaic on Fort street which serves that need well but I don't think there has been another project of its kind. I see no reason why not.

I also think that as well as tax incentives, we might review the administrative/permit process at City Hall to make it easier for developers to fill the needs that exist - the solutions we call for - rather then a continuation of beautiful condos for millionaire tenants.

Just some thoughts for the mill,
Sue
www.susanwoodsforvictoria.com

--------- good stuff , thanks for supporting the race to the bottom

250sqr is small ...!
in a few years ,,, it'll be 200-sqr,

and then 150,

and eventually , dog-kennels,,,
and some day, those will become "UN-AFFORDABLE ...!


--- We need to stand up to these UN-GREATFUL developer's

developer's that show their gratitude
by making MORE MONEY off less space...!!!!!!!!!!!

it's a race to the bottom...?


------- this city used to be for citizen's

and now ,,,
it's become "frontier - land" , for those who want to make money...!

( as you suggest )
65% of Victoria's citizen rent ...!

Why is the City , NOT the biggest land-lord ...?

ie: with a profit , the city can afford to buy some of those RAW-LOGS
( being exported ) ,,, and turn them into 4-story ~ wood-frame apartments...!

oh, I mean Victoria can also help to bail-out another community on this island..?????

(who would have thunk ...?)

-------- Susan ,

your almost there,

please go back to the drawing board...!


Victoria should be a city where it's citizen's can take a holiday from,
not a holiday to...!


But with more than 70% of their income going to rent,,,?????
most can't afford to be a tourist in our own town , even in february ...!


------- if the big fish get out of the way ,
some of your local smaller fish can grow ...!


but if we keep chasing the big-fish's ,
we'll be swimming THEIR pool ...


Will you show some back bone , and stand up to these guys
who are invested in the race to the bottom ...?

- try offering an architectural award ( Gold-Metal)
to anybody offering MORE SPACE for the same cheep costs...!

( ie: aquiring low-cost discount matterials , dedicated to a single purpose...!
... low cost rentals)


would Chamanus mill be able to offer jobs,
milling low-cost , OFF-MARKET lumber ...?
(from the RAW-LOGS being exported for cheep ...!)

ted...

[Sue Woods]

Hi Ted, I get what you are saying - and agree that 250 sq ft (size of a double garge actually) is a very small space. I also agree that the city might do well to play a larger 'landlord role'.

As for your views on developers, I do have to disgaree. I think the 'us and them' belief is polarizing and counter productive,

As for living space - you call it the "race to the bottom" - but I am of the belief that we need to start thinking about living in smaller more efficient places - like they do in Europe and Japan for example.

Sue

[Caramia]

I think the 'us and them' belief is polarizing and counter productive

Well said!

[ted - 3 - dots]

[quote name='Susan Woods, Candidate']Hi Ted, I get what you are saying - and agree that 250 sq ft (size of a double garge actually) is a very small space to call home. I also agree that the city should play a larger 'landlord role' despite the claim that its out of our jurisdiction and the solution lies with Ottawa coming to the table with tax incentives.



--- Ottawa ...? You mean the guys who try to get elected
on promises of TAX-CUTS ...????????

Are any of those "Ottawa-Clowns" offering to solve homelessness...?
are they just offering Million's & not the Billion's that are needed ...!


--------- 250 square-feet ...?

if you feel that's ok for people to live in ,,, (250-square feet )
then why not TAX spaces that are larger...?

as you mention Happiness in India ,
the TAX can / should be able to make every-body happy ...!


---------- Face the Facts ....

poor & working class PEOPLE are the one's who are forced to take-up
less and less space on this planet...


IS THAT CREATIVETY ...!

or is it a greedy race to the bottom...?

The Math say's , fewer of us will be allowed to live here.
and small business will have LESS LABOUR than what's available.

Prices in downtown , will NOT be enough for small business to make it's own rent...!

------- But hey ----------

let's just maintain the status quo ,

let's continue this game of musical chair's ,
eventually the bubble will burst...


and eventually , our Victoria home land's , will go for auction on E-Bay...!


ted... ( the race to the bottom is so very obvious ,,, and so is the solution )

;{-

.
.
.

tinsel is NOT made of silver you know ...!

( it's made of cheeper suff,
and if you look close enough

that point , becomes obvious... )

[Sue Woods]

Thats fine. I guess we disagree.

[Sue Woods]

For others - I am not a proponent for or against 250 sq foot condos. I was simply passing on some info about current steps being taken in Van to make condos more affordable for young working people to get into the market.

Iinnovation is the key to finding new solutions. There are many ways to approach housing that people will either embrace or refuse.

Thx Sue

[VicHockeyFan]

For others - I am not a proponent for or against 250 sq foot condos. I was simply passing on some info about current steps being taken in Van to make condos more affordable for young working people to get into the market.

The point I meant to convey is that innovation is the key to finding new solutions. That there are many ways to approach housing that people will either embrace or refuse.

Thx Sue

If people want to buy a 150, or 250, or 5000 sq. ft. condo, I don't see whay we can't let them be built.

[Caramia]

Here's the best I could find about LYNNE HUNTER's view on affordable housing...


From the TC...

Lack of affordable housing is top of her agenda.
"My own daughter can't afford to rent a place, let alone buy a place, and the homelessness just smacks you in the face in Greater Victoria," Hunter said.
"The primary focus has to be housing for all people."

From City Council Minutes, May 03, 2007 Review of Secondary Suites...

Lynn Hunter (1317 Point Street): She is in favour of secondary suites but it will not solve all problems. She also supports new homes with secondary suites as they are mortgage helpers. When she moved into this home she sold her car as this is a walkable neighbourhood. Densification of Victoria would make it more liveable and more variety and vibrant. Some homes deserve to be torn down and the new ones will improve the neighbourhood and if they include a suite it makes the area more diverse.

[VicHockeyFan]

CRD TO LOOK AT EXTENDING HOUSING TRUST FUND

http://www.cfax1070....hp?newsId=11097

Oct 26, 2009

A STAFF REPORT TO THE CAPITAL REGIONAL'S DISTRICT'S PLANNING COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS REMOVAL OF THE "SUNSET" CLAUSE FROM THE BY-LAW THAT CREATED THE REGIONAL HOUSING TRUST FUND.

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