Dear Editor,
Re: “Readers debate city’s rental response,” Letters, April 14.
I enjoyed your substitute editorial on April 14! I read both letters about housing in Richmond with great interest. I know both writers and consider them friends and colleagues. One is a well-respected housing developer, who regularly appears before city council to speak on local housing proposals. I also know many of his housing developments include LEMR (low end market rental) units. The other is a retired outreach worker who says she has tried on several occasions to secure LEMR units for her clients but has never found one.
Juxtaposing these two views on the editorial page brilliantly shows the two solitudes in Richmond when it comes to housing. One sees the city council and developers providing affordable housing through the LEMR program. The other has seen too many homeless and at-risk residents unable to access a LEMR unit.
As an affordable housing proponent, I can say both views are right. But it doesn’t mean more can’t be done for those who need truly affordable housing. Whether a LEMR unit is “secured” (promised), built or occupied, it does not appear there are enough of them. Nor are there many other affordable housing options for low-income individuals and families.
BC Minister of Housing David Eby recently said we need a good mix of social housing, rental units and units for purchase. I would say, in Richmond the “mix” is in dire need of some balancing. The city’s own 2021 Housing Needs report states that between 1990-2020, 94 percent were houses/condos for purchase; only six percent were purpose-built rentals.
Although the city has increased the mandatory percentages of LEMR contributed by developers over time, purpose-built rentals including LEMR are not keeping up with the demand.
Deirdre Whalen
RICHMOND
