Dear Editor,
Re: “Residents express concerns over proposed affordable housing project in Steveston,” Richmond-News.com, July 21.
I have followed the controversy about the proposed housing project located at 4831 Steveston Hwy for women and children and wish to add my perspective.
I am a longtime (over 70 years) resident of Steveston. I have always been proud of the fact that our area is welcoming to everyone including those across the housing spectrum.
If you consider “Steveston” as being bound by Williams Road to the north and No. 2 Road to the east, I count at least 10 housing co-operatives or senior’s housing projects within these boundaries.
We also have two seniors independent living facilities in Maple Residence and Wisteria Place.
In addition, we have an assisted living facility at Austin Harris Residence located at Trites and Moncton, operated by S.U.C.C.E.S.S, in partnership with CMHS, BCHMC and VCH. We also have several group homes and one housing facility for persons with disabilities.
I cannot think of another neighbourhood in Richmond that has this richness of housing stock. Soon we hope to have Lions Manor, an extended health facility, return to our neighbourhood after recently announced funding from the provincial government.
Having a variety of housing stock enriches our neighbourhoods and ensures that housing is not only for those with the financial means to purchase a single-family home or for that matter a condominium or townhouse.
I encourage those 120 signatories to the petition to consider welcoming our new neighbours rather than putting up barriers.
Some will remember the protests against the Richmond Modular Rain City Housing project on Alderbridge Way a few years ago, yet I do not recall reading about any complaints or issues since that facility was built.
If we are to solve our housing problems, we need to look at innovative and “outside the box” thinking. I applaud the recent announcements of not only this project but also the affordable housing project on Railway Avenue and the Rosewood Village housing proposal located on 9.11 acres and in need of utilizing this property to its fullest extent.
Kelvin Higo
Richmond
