Tackling B.C.’s housing crisis means building a diverse housing stock

To those who have been demanding government action, help is finally on the way

Katrina Chen, MLA Burnaby-Lougheed

For many years, British Columbians have felt the pressure of a ballooning housing crisis. More and more families were making impossible choices between their housing cost and buying groceries. The market for middle-income families got smaller and smaller as speculators were driving up home prices. This has been especially true in Burnaby.

The former BC Liberal government ignored the problem, and let the cost of living spiral out of control. I’m glad that our New Democrat government is doing things differently. From Victoria to Vanderhoof, housing for the middle income earners has finally become a priority.

A constituent of mine, John, lives in a co-op near Burnaby Mountain. He’s a small business owner, and is never short of community spirit. John told me that he attributes his love of the community, in part, to his co-op. He has lived there for over 30 years, raised his children there, and now his kids are grown and are raising their own families in that same co-op. He shared with me how grateful he was to have raised his kids in the community, and the joy he brought by having them close as they raise their own families. In his words, living in a co-op is like having a huge extended family.

Co-ops are one of the many ways governments can build an affordable housing stock for middle income people, while also strengthening communities. Not every family has been as fortunate as John’s, however. That’s why our bold 30-point plan to address housing needs is so important. For the first time in a long time, communities have a partner at the provincial level who can help create hosing solutions.

When we announced the first 4,900 new, affordable, rental homes being built across the province through our Community Housing Fund, I was both excited and relieved. Excited that we we’re making one of the largest investments ever in B.C.’s affordable housing stock, and relieved that more families like John’s will be able to stay in their communities. Just through this one fund, a total of 366 homes will be built here in Burnaby for seniors, persons with disabilities, single occupants, and families. This won’t fix everything overnight, but it’s a good place to start.

When we build affordable housing that includes people with diverse incomes, backgrounds, and abilities, the whole community benefits. Diversity has always been a strength in Burnaby, and we cannot let speculators change that by pushing people out. Our Community Housing Fund, a $1.9-billion investment over 10 years, will build more than 14,000 affordable rental homes for seniors, families and low and middle-income earners.

We’re working with municipal governments, Indigenous groups, and non-profit organizations to get this done, and the Community Housing Fund is just one part of how we are delivering on our goal to work in partnership to build 114,000 affordable homes. Last year your New Democrat government announced another part of reaching this goal: the creation of the HousingHub, a division of BC Housing that will take an active role in finding partners to build new, affordable market-rental housing and owner-purchased housing, giving renters and prospective new homeowners the benefits of long-term stable and affordable housing. Initiatives such as this are long overdue, that why we’re wasting no time.

If the BC Liberals had it their way, there would be no investment in these housing projects. They made their position clear. They would rather protect speculators than families. They made this clear in their 16 years of inaction, and in their opposition to the housing affordability measures we’ve introduced since taking office. Burnaby simply cannot afford apathy or delays on housing.

We are making big leaps forward so that Burnaby can remain an accessible community for people from all walks of life.