New Westminster, B.C. (June 18, 2018): Increasing housing affordability and supporting renters are key components of a Five-Point Affordable Housing Action Plan released today by the New Westminster Progressive (NWP) council candidates.
“Having the next council focus more on increasing affordable housing and supporting renters is key if we are going to maintain our position as a family-friendly community into the future,” says Daniel Fontaine, NWP candidate for council. “New West residents and local businesses want us to take some bold action and put forward ideas that will ensure nobody has to leave New Westminster simply because it’s too expensive to secure affordable housing.”![\"\"](\"http://nwprogressives.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/20180617_144441-1024x768.jpg\")
“As the father of a 12 year-old I’m concerned we’re not doing enough to ensure our kids will have the opportunity to remain in our community and raise their families here too,” says Paul McNamara, NWP candidate for council. “Our action plan is meant to address some of the concerns we’ve been hearing from local residents that our city is rapidly becoming unaffordable for younger generations who don’t want to be forced out of their city.”
The NWP Five-Point Action Plan includes:
1. Establish an independent Affordable Housing Task Force within 90 days of taking office and work to secure funding and fast-track the development of up to 1000 new below market rental units by 2024.
2. Address the issue of short-term rentals impacting the long-term rental supply through the introduction of a new Short-Term Rental Fee.
3. Work with Metro Vancouver and neighbouring municipalities to reduce the ever-increasing number of renters being displaced by demovictions and new condominium development.![\"\"](\"http://nwprogressives.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/airbnb-300x135.jpg\")
4. Reduce the cost of building new affordable housing by speeding up the permitting process.
5. Increase housing choices by supporting ‘Gentle Density’ and more ‘missing middle’ housing including laneway homes, condominium and fee simple rowhouses and townhomes.
“There is no silver bullet when it comes to addressing this complex issue,” says Fontaine. “If implemented in its entirety, our action plan would serve to help address the needs of our residents, not simply developers, when it comes to ensuring we build and retain more affordable housing.”
NWP candidates for council and school board will be releasing other components of their election platform leading up to the October 20th civic election.