Dear @CityofVancouver
I am writing in regards to the motion to reduce the City's 10 Year Housing Target.
I moved to Vancouver with my wife, who is disabled an unable to work (at least for the next few years). I am a 33 year old professional with a pre tax income of
I am writing in regards to the motion to reduce the City's 10 Year Housing Target.
I moved to Vancouver with my wife, who is disabled an unable to work (at least for the next few years). I am a 33 year old professional with a pre tax income of
approximately $100,000.00.
Despite my upper middle class income, there are next to no options for myself and my wife to purchase a modest condominium or duplex in this city to start a family.
For me, the numbers look like this: an average 2 bedroom condo costs approximately $1M
Despite my upper middle class income, there are next to no options for myself and my wife to purchase a modest condominium or duplex in this city to start a family.
For me, the numbers look like this: an average 2 bedroom condo costs approximately $1M
and requires $200k down-payment. If I can save 15% of my after tax income (approx. $11,000) it will take me between 15 to 20 years to qualify. That ignores likely further increases in property values. And of course, I can't save the 15% because of the exorbitant rentals rates
we are paying. This is not a future to be excited about.
I am not the only one in this situation. Conversations with my cohort reveal similar fears and concerns. These are individuals and couples making good, six-figure earnings who cannot see themselves starting a family in
I am not the only one in this situation. Conversations with my cohort reveal similar fears and concerns. These are individuals and couples making good, six-figure earnings who cannot see themselves starting a family in
the City.
If has been a struggle for my wife and I to plan for our future then it must be next to impossible for working class Vancouverites who keep our restaurants, hotels, transit, grocery stores and hospitals running. Those front line workers that we have rightfully been
If has been a struggle for my wife and I to plan for our future then it must be next to impossible for working class Vancouverites who keep our restaurants, hotels, transit, grocery stores and hospitals running. Those front line workers that we have rightfully been
praising and celebrating are simultaneously being told by the City that they are not welcome here. This is the hypocrisy that frustrates me the most - City Council talking up Vancouver as a world class, diverse city welcome to anyone while effectively barring home ownership from
exactly those they hold up.
It has been demoralizing and disheartening to see the City continue to delay and obstruct additional market housing in Vancouver. The City cannot continue to sit on its laurels while young, educated professionals are unable to find a place to call
It has been demoralizing and disheartening to see the City continue to delay and obstruct additional market housing in Vancouver. The City cannot continue to sit on its laurels while young, educated professionals are unable to find a place to call
home. Those citizens who are just starting their careers or are working in less lucrative
No one expects this problem to be solved overnight. No one expects a magical solution where everyone is happy.
What we should expect is City Council to do its job, to take this seriously,
No one expects this problem to be solved overnight. No one expects a magical solution where everyone is happy.
What we should expect is City Council to do its job, to take this seriously,
to get creative and to start to do something. Doing nothing means overseeing the hollowing out of the City and what makes is so amazing and special.
We need more housing, of all types: low income to high income. We need to densify to build more housing. We need City planning
We need more housing, of all types: low income to high income. We need to densify to build more housing. We need City planning
Thanks for the interest in my story everyone. I've address the motion more directly in this thread here if you are interested:
