RITE Richmond wants to promote smaller homes through city zoning practices to encourage more affordable housing that may also create a greater sense of a neighbourhood, according to a news release.
RITE is also advocating for neighbourhood message centres and wants the city to research potential solutions to vacant homes, also in an effort to foster a sense of neighbourhood in Richmond.
In a 13-point news release sent Tuesday from the rebranded slate featuring small business owner Carol Day and teacher Michael Wolfe, RITE is hoping to work with developers in neighbourhoods where “monster homes” are deemed a problem.
Day said this may be accomplished through “down zoning,” which would place limitations on new homes.
RITE also wants to promote homes under 1,000 square-feet as well as duplexes and quadplexes as affordable options.
The slate wants to ensure new homes are built with seniors and disabled people in mind.
Day also proposed exploring a "vacancy tax" for absentee home owners. She said she would direct staff to explore the viability of such a plan with higher levels of government.
Regulating homes to potentially make them more affordable would be met with greater communication between the city and residents during rezoning applications, noted RITE.
In some instances Day and Wolfe would want to have special meetings with grassroots groups, outside of official committees.
RITE also unveiled a 22-step plan to bring about more neighbourly interactions. Among the ideas central to their platform is incorporating message centres in each specific neighbourhood. The centres would act as a meeting and information-sharing hub.
RITE Richmond Housing and Development Action Plan - RITERichmond
