To the editor:
Re: “When nimbyism and lack of communication collide,” Dec. 18.
Fiona Hughes’ column really struck a chord with me, since I have lived in social housing (a housing co-op) for the past 16 and a half years. One of the things I love the most about co-op housing is that I am permitted to live in a multi-income community. That makes me feel like I am actually allowed to live as a “normal” human being. I have a question for the home- owners who do not want any social housing to be built in their neighbourhoods; where do they suggest that we live?
Some of our co-op members are subsidized while others are not, but there is no physical difference in the appearance of subsidized versus non-subsidized members. In the same way, if homeowners who do not want any social housing to be built in their neighbourhoods were to meet our co-op members while walking down the street, they would have no idea from looking at us that we live in social housing. Some people who live in social housing may be drug addicts, for example, but many are not. They may be people with disabilities, seniors, or be people with low-paying jobs. Why should those of us who are not high-income earners be ostracized by wealthier members of our fair city? Are we somehow “subhumans” because we are not wealthy enough to buy our own homes in Vancouver’s super high-priced housing market or rent high priced apartments?
Some home-owners seem to think that it is OK for social housing to be built in the Downtown Eastside but nowhere else. I, for one, have no desire whatsoever to live in the Downtown Eastside. I love my neighbourhood in Renfrew-Collingwood and hope to continue living here for many years to come.
