Lori Culbert, the Vancouver Sun, September 29, 2022 (with quotes from BCNPHA CEO Jill Atkey)
While Metro Vancouver voters have made it clear in two recent polls that affordable housing is their top priority this municipal election, candidates are responding to this long-brewing crisis with platforms that range from ambitious to lacklustre.
“When we look at polling, housing and homelessness are the top issue. And I think we’ve seen that build over the last number of municipal elections,” said Jill Atkey, CEO of the B.C. Non-Profit Housing Association.
“But then, in terms of how candidates and parties are responding to that, I’d say it’s been a pretty mixed bag from what we’ve seen at this point.”
On the plus side, some candidates pledge to speed up permitting and expand density in traditional single-family neighbourhoods. And there is more debate about building townhomes and other family-friendly housing that falls between condos and detached houses.
“We’re having quite a real conversation about not just building new housing, but what form is that housing going to take? And where is it going to go? That’s certainly new for Vancouver, for sure. And then we see a little bit of that conversation happening in other municipalities as well,” Atkey said.