From the Globe and Mail (April 8): First Nations bands to pay millions for provincial portion of Jericho Lands
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“I don’t want our land that we paid prime dollars for to be used as affordable-housing land,” Musqueam Chief Wayne Sparrow said.
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That statement makes sense. One cannot and should not expect affordable housing two blocks from the beach in prime locations in Vancouver – regardless of native or non-native ownership. Affordable housing exists further east such as Burnaby, New West or further south say Surrey or Delta.
Of course in Canada we need to question the preferential treatment of natives in general but that is another lengthy and complex topic beyond this post.
Your assertion that one “cannot” expect affordable housing someplace actually desirable is a big part of the problem in Vancouver. Of course one can expect it. Cities all over the world do expect it and get it. Why do the poor have to be ghetto-ized into the suburbs? It’s understandable that the land owners would prefer higher returns and not want subsidized housing, but that’s another matter.
If the City’s serious about easing housing affordability (and I don’t think it really is), a subsidized housing component can and should be worked into almost every development approvals process. Developers need the City more than the City needs developers. It’s time the Mayor started leveraging that power imbalance. If they can do it in NYC – a city barely held together with frayed twine and duct tape – they can certainly do it here.
Is housing a right ? Is affordable housing a right ? Is affordable housing close to the beach, in the best part of town, a right ? If so, who pays for that right ? And why ?
Is it desirable to have affordable housing, and if so, where should it be located ? Who determines who can live close to the beach and who cannot, i..e must relocate to New West or Burnaby to cheaper abodes ?
Trading density for either subsidized housing or transit funding is selling density . Why give it away ? It has to be worth more than $200 a square foot