Dear Editor,
RE: “More rental housing needed: McNulty,” Letters, July 9
It seems that Coun. Bill McNulty has just woken up from a long sleep and recognized that Richmond has an affordable housing problem.
I recall a conversation I had with him some years ago, when I was co-chair of the Richmond Poverty Response Committee, about the chronic lack of affordable housing for low-income residents.
He commented that his sons were able to afford housing in Richmond, so it did not seem to see there was a problem.
This prevailing attitude of indifference for many years by Richmond council to the gradual loss of mixed income neighbourhoods has led to the present crisis of housing shortage and the inevitable loss of long-time residents, and the majority of the work force from our community.
There are many jurisdictions, including Vancouver, that have made the issue of affordable housing a priority, and their actions to back up their policy could serve as a model for some real action by Richmond council to address this vital issue.
Mary Phillips
Richmond
