With Burnaby's city council byelection just around the corner, one party has revealed its affordable housing platform.
The Burnaby Green Party has two candidates, Teresa Rossiello and Mehreen Chaudry, in the race for two open council seats and hoping to join Coun. Joe Keithley in the council chambers.
In a news release, the party says the lack of affordable housing is the main concern for the two candidates, saying their goal is to build on progress already made by Mayor Mike Hurley and his housing task force.
"We need to think of housing as homes, not investments," Rossiello said.
"Burnaby needs affordable housing for all who need it."
Goals include delivery of recommendations and pushing for housing needs to be met for city residents.
"As a renter in Burnaby, I know firsthand the reality of the affordable housing crisis and will make sure the issue is addressed with the urgency it deserves," Chaudry added in the release.
The Burnaby Green Party Affordable Housing Platform is as follows:
- Provide generous 99-year leases to partners who are best able to provide cooperative, rental and social housing for Burnaby residents
- Slow the building of "tower islands' and instead, rezone some single-family areas to allow for some three and four-storey rental housing, gently increasing density
- Engage in public consultation regarding increasing the rental component of new medium and high rise buildings above the currently 20%
- Explore ways to reduce parking requirements where it's not necessary in order to reduce housing costs
- Create a permanent housing commission that will bring together diverse and representative Burnaby residents and city officials to co-create solutions to Burnaby's evolving housing needs
The Burnaby byelection is scheduled for June 26 as General Voting Day, with Advance Voting Dates taking place June 12 and 14-19, 2021.
