3746 replies to this topic

[Nparker]

Will the proponents of the MMHI ever publicly acknowledge that affordability was NEVER a goal of this program?

[Mike K.]

They’re more expensive than the SFDs they were promoted as replacing, because we’ve baked in so many wish list items into the initiative that constrict any semblance of affordability related to average household incomes.

[Tony]

Lisa Helps

 

As noted in the post on the housing affordability crisis, unlike the City’s other housing policies, Missing Middle Housing won’t create affordable housing for very low, low and moderate income earners. But it will make home ownership more attainable for more working people in the city. This is also an important objective if we want to have a healthy, diverse community, and a strong economy. Many businesses are having trouble filling jobs and attracting people to Victoria because housing is too expensive, even for working professionals.

[Nparker]

Advice from Lisa Helps and $5 will get you a coffee at Starbucks.

[Mike K.]

Lisa Helps

As noted in the post on the housing affordability crisis, unlike the City’s other housing policies, Missing Middle Housing won’t create affordable housing for very low, low and moderate income earners. But it will make home ownership more attainable for more working people in the city. This is also an important objective if we want to have a healthy, diverse community, and a strong economy. Many businesses are having trouble filling jobs and attracting people to Victoria because housing is too expensive, even for working professionals.

The former mayor eventually stopped talking about affordability and MMHI, but when the initiative was first launched, affordability was one of its driving attributes.

[Tony]

Will the proponents of the MMHI ever publicly acknowledge that affordability was NEVER a goal of this program?

 

Lisa Helps

 

As noted in the post on the housing affordability crisis, unlike the City’s other housing policies, Missing Middle Housing won’t create affordable housing for very low, low and moderate income earners. But it will make home ownership more attainable for more working people in the city. This is also an important objective if we want to have a healthy, diverse community, and a strong economy. Many businesses are having trouble filling jobs and attracting people to Victoria because housing is too expensive, even for working professionals.

[Nparker]

OK - never an HONEST goal. Dishonesty/ altering the narrative has always been a Lisa Helps specialty.

[Mike K.]

^^that’s the modified vision for MM.

In 2019 and 2020, MM talking points were squarely about affordability, and that carried over up into early 2022. So too, was the brunt of the late 2022 public hearing, when the old talking points on affordability refused to go away, and created a disconnect between what the City and stakeholders already knew wouldn’t happen, but which the youth and supportive members of the public still thought would happen.

Tony, if MMHI wasn’t about affordability, why did so many students at the public hearing talk about affordability? Where did they get that idea?

It’s because MMHI was veiled by the prospect of affordability, from day 1. The CBC even picked up on it earlier in 2023, look:

While proponents of the strategy, including Victoria's mayor, say it could lead to an increase in affordable housing supply, critics say it will not make life easier for renters.

- https://www.cbc.ca/amp/1.6729374

We were among the critics on this forum, and were labelled some not nice things by the so-called experts who couldn’t see past the smoke and mirrors.

And here’s ther City’s April 2022 report on MMHI, in which “affordable housing” is mentioned 12 times. https://pub-victoria...ocumentId=80167

When you read up on the history of the initiative, not just its last phase prior to approvals as it became evident the entire initiative was a failed agenda, you will find that affordability was at the core of MMHI, until suddenly it wasn’t. Fast forwarding to today, a developer has successfully argued before council that affordability cannot be achieved at their 2022-approved, 18-unit MM project, which was to have been an example of how MMHI will infuse affordability into established Victoria neighbourhoods.

[Citified.ca]

 

 

38-unit Johnson Street social housing community eyed for redevelopment into 140 apartments

https://victoria.cit...140-apartments/

[HarrisonGreene]

This 6-storey project at 1039 & 1043 Meares St. goes before council on the 23rd. 

[HarrisonGreene]

Attached Images

• 

[Mike K.]

As in before council in the evening, or CoTW?

 

I'd check but I'm on mobile, and it's a miserable pursuit.

[Nparker]

This 6-storey project at 1039 & 1043 Meares St. goes before council on the 23rd. 

Currently this.

[HarrisonGreene]

As in before council in the evening, or CoTW?

 

I'd check but I'm on mobile, and it's a miserable pursuit.

Evening council from the looks of it.

[Mike K.]

Thank you.

[HarrisonGreene]

Currently this.

I predict it'll be approved. 

[Nparker]

I think it's a no-brainer to be approved.

[Victoria Watcher]

[Nparker]

Does he pat himself on the back like this all the time?

[Mike K.]

He's part of a group of councilors approving more housing than several councils combined. Surely we can appreciate that?