The Editor,
Re. “Co-op tenants given notice” (The Tri-City News, June 14).
I wish I could say I was surprised by the news of possible astronomical rent increases to residents of the Hoy Creek Housing Co-op. Unfortunately, this has been a common theme in the Lower Mainland.
Rising rents and subsidies slowly withered away by the increased cost of living are putting too many people at risk of losing their homes.
This is too common, it hurts our cities and, worst of all, it is putting people at risk of homelessness.
While we can agree that the Hoy Creek co-op needs to be rebuilt, we must all ask what will replace it? Selling the land to developers so they can profit wildly off expensive condos in exchange for a pitiful number of affordable housing units is not going to alleviate the pressure on people trying to get by.
We must ensure that as Coquitlam continues to grow, it remains a city where people of all incomes, backgrounds and family makeups can come to make their home and have a sense of housing security.
I was happy to learn that a temporary solution has been found for residents of the co-op. What was being proposed was cruel and unnecessary. But a long-term solution must be found. Coquitlam needs more affordable housing options.
Matt Djonlic, Coquitlam
