The Editor,
Re. “40-50 homes to be built for low-income earners in Coquitlam” (The Tri-City News, June 28) and “Affordable start (editorial, June 30).
I commend Coquitlam’s mayor and council on this excellent initiative to allow less affluent citizens a way into home ownership. May other, similarly creative models, such as the ones found in the city’s companion document to the Housing Affordability Strategy, also see the light of day in the near future, now that senior governments seem more willing to support affordability again.
When it comes to affordable rental housing, however, I feel stymied by the city’s approach. By pre-designating large areas in the Burquitlam-Lougheed neighbourhood for future highrise development, they are doing a grave disservice to the hundreds of lower-income, mostly transit-using families now occupying perfectly habitable, affordable dedicated rental and co-op housing there. When these properties are up-zoned, these families will be dislocated in the worst housing crisis in memory. Whether this is achieved by slow attrition or by inducements such as free rent and moving costs, the results will be equally disastrous.
I would suggest keeping these older rental buildings (now 50 to 60 years old and mostly rock-solid, just lacking in curb appeal) would lay a strong foundation for the city’s total rental stock. These family-oriented older buildings are likely the only truly affordable ones we have left. Newer replacements, even if in adequate numbers, will never be as affordable, never mind as spacious or secure.
I am urging the city to follow the lead of New Westminster and, more recently Victoria to protect these older complexes instead of encouraging demolition. To date, I am aware of no older complex being thus protected, and can think of no better place to start.
Felix Thijssen, Coquitlam
