Dear Editor,
Re: “Property investors are not the enemy,” Letters, Jan. 27
Julie Halfnights misses the point about the missed opportunity to build a real mixed community at the latest mega development.
I do not think anyone is saying individuals should not buy a condo and rent it out, especially if the rent is reasonable for the average income earner.
Unfortunately, as housing prices are inflated in Richmond, so are rents. The workers in the service industries such as retail and hospitality in Richmond cannot afford the rents so they have to commute from Vancouver, Burnaby, New Westminster, Surrey, Langley or Coquitlam.
This is not acceptable.
Developers of the new hi-rises pre-sell their units as much as possible and often advertise them offshore.
Their intention is not to provide homes for local residents but to make as much profit as quickly as possible.
Our council continues to have the attitude that development is good for Richmond. It is, after all, a big source of fees for the city.
And if local residents cannot afford to live in the units, too bad. They should move out of Richmond.
I have even heard this view expressed by a long-time councillor to a local senior who bemoaned the lack of affordable housing for seniors with fixed incomes.
I have lived in Richmond since 1985 and am very saddened by the destruction of a very special urban/rural community, which used to be for residents of various income levels and was the richer for it.
Julie Halfnights used to be an amazing volunteer at Thompson Community Centre for many years.
I am surprised she has not observed the same.
Mary Phillips
RICHMOND
