I had a huge response to my June 24th column, “Ten ways to ease Metro Vancouver’s housing crisis.”
Since housing affordability is the major economic-justice issue in this city and others, it’s worth publishing some of the informed, heartfelt letters I received in response to the 10 policy ideas.
Since my piece ran, B.C. Premier Christy Clark and other politicians have been making louder noises about responding to the affordability crunch. We shall see if they do anything serious, something which is more than a “diversion” from the real issues (as one letter writer below fears).
I like the way the South China Morning Post followed my 10-point piece with “A one-point plan to tackle Vancouver’s housing crisis: Kill Quebec’s millionaire investor scam.” It was humorous, but also dead serious and important.
I wondered whether to delete the complements some writers offered me in their letters, but in some cases I’ve kept them in: They show how desperate readers have been for a long time to have their voices heard on housing, which has been a tragedy for the young and others.
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Here are some readers’ responses:
From H.S.:
Simply put: Vancouver’s outrageous house prices stem from excessive demand, arising mainly from non-resident buyers.
Solution: Ban non-resident buying.
Works in Denmark. Why not here?
Answer: Because much is wrongheaded, conflicted and vision-less in B.C. politics.
From Elizabeth Murphy, former Vancouver city staff member:
Increasing density has actually been inflating land values and rents in Vancouver, contributing to the creation of a housing bubble.
And the unregulated Wild West of foreign capital has disconnected the real estate market from the local economy.
Demolishing solid, older buildings and replacing them with new construction is less affordable and ecologically wasteful.
On top of that, the city’s own consultants’ reports confirm there is enough existing zoned capacity to accommodate growth at current record breaking levels for the next 20 to 30 years. So there is no need for massive amounts of new zoning capacity supply.
From K.W.:
You provided a well-considered piece about an important issue. However, I wanted to respond to one point you made about younger people who have bought homes in the past year.
My husband and I are in our early 30’s and purchased a home last February. Given the high prices, we saved for years, living simply in order to accumulate enough money for a down payment. Unlike many in our generation, we drive old cars, spend very little on things like clothing, dining out and vacations – and ultimately were able to reward ourselves by getting into the housing market (without help from our parents).
I have many friends in very similar situations, and we all worry about what any sudden move by government will do to our hard-won investment in our homes. I think many of your proposals are potentially great ideas – but {no one should} dismiss the possible impacts on new owners due to an assumption that we had help from parents.
From E.S.:
From E.B.J.:
As a longtime Sun subscriber and follower of your column, I want to express my gratitude for the clear, steady voice you have brought to this tale as it unfolds.
It has been disheartening to have most media turning to so-called expert commentators such as Bob Rennie (who is implicated in the scheme of things) or failing to notice the housing situation has shifted and the situation is not just the “same old,” ie. Vancouver is pricey, get over it and move further out the Fraser Valley.
Thanks, too, for your mention of rental and social housing in the article, pointing to the fact adding density under today’s rules “perfectly serves the real estate industry and the politicians who do its bidding.”
I think it highly appropriate as the longtime religion and ethics writer you stepped up to plate on this subject.
It’s not just a matter of money; winners and losers on some global Monopoly board laid down across the coast where we live. It is a matter of ethics or the lack of them, of real people and vital communities being hurt.
It shouldn’t be happening, and your journalism has been strong enough to tell some truths about the situation.
From B.Y.:
You have been an incredible voice for the many individuals and families negatively affected by the housing crisis in the Vancouver area. It’s the most important issue facing the region.
I am a house owner that will be cashing out at some point – but at what cost?
My kids (4th generation Vancouver residents) will be leaving the area they grew up in (and the Lower Mainland) to find reasonably priced real estate in an area that is not dominated by wealthy Chinese newcomers.
This is exactly the same thing that happened to my wife and I nearly 30 years ago. We sold our Kerrisdale house (in the neighbourhood where I grew up) for the exact same reason to move to South Surrey/White Rock. We’ve made lot of money personally – but I’d give that all up to avoid the displacements to our family and the loss to our communities.
Your writing has been a big influence in building the momentum for meaningful change.
One further reform that needs to be made: We need to put into place much more rigorous anti-corruption policies and penalties for our elected officials and bureaucracy.
It is extremely naïve for us to think that large amounts of corrupt foreign money will not be used to buy influence of our local officials – a practice that is widespread throughout the world.
Or that large amounts of local developer money will not target these same individuals – the government of Christy Clark should be thoroughly audited, with provisions to review family holdings after they leave office.
From I.I.:
– A 15 year-long period of inaction, including disinterest in collecting hard data on foreign ownership in the Vancouver marketplace. They have been shrugging their shoulders for that long.
One reader laments the “15 year-long period of inaction, including disinterest in collecting hard data on foreign ownership in the Vancouver marketplace.” She thinks Finance Minister Michael de Jong and Premier Christy Clark must be held accountable.
