Letters: Two-pronged attack needed for housing in Richmond

Dear Editor,

I really do not have to convey to you, my good friends, that we are encountering a dire housing lack in Richmond.

The superior information is that our elected officers and builders are earning a concerted exertion to build additional housing the negative information is it is the incorrect kind.

The new housing tasks underway will not enable our youthful older people and middle-revenue personnel fleeing our neighborhood exploring for affordable housing and will only reward the privileged elite. Is everyone surprised? 

Somewhat than investing in moderately priced housing that day to day folks can afford to pay for, we are witnessing the building of luxury townhouses and superior-priced condominiums, some of which outcome in the destruction of solitary-relatives dwellings to attain the land.

The negligible amount of money of affordable housing under design is inadequate for Richmond’s 200K populace — 26 for each cent of whom are renters in a area with a <1 per cent vacancy rate. 

We desperately need a two-pronged approach to fix this systemic issue.

Our young adults are forced to relocate, leaving behind their entire community and support system, making families more vulnerable.

Prong one is to re-design single-family homes to create two or three smaller homes on the same plot that our much-valued teachers, tradespersons, healthcare and childcare workers, and young professionals can afford.

Prong two involves city council fundamentally changing zoning laws to create more purpose-built rental housing that families and middle-income residents, who make less than $70,000 annually, can afford.

Jack Trovato

RICHMOND