An open letter to fellow homeowners on the North Shore:
I would like all of us homeowners to think about an idea called “whole cost accounting” when it comes to real estate in our community.
The real cost to us of high-cost housing is:
1. The continued exodus of young people (singles).
2. The continued exodus of young families with children.
3. Exodus of middle and lower wage earners who teach, nurse and police our community.
4. An ever-increasing traffic nightmare as workers have to commute for one hour or more.
5. The stress on them, their families, and our infrastructure as the roads and bridges are stretched to their max.
6. Closure of schools, lack of quality workers to do all sorts of important jobs we need for a vibrant community economy.
All of that so we can watch our property values soar? For what? Another week in Palm Springs? Or more money to leave our kids who still won’t be able to afford to live here (or don’t want to because all their friends moved away)?
We need serious planning and intervention from our government at all levels to help keep our communities healthy, vibrant and affordable. We want young families here. We want lots of young families here and only serious interventions will turn things around. We boomers and other folks who have homes here do not need more money, more equity, more, more, more. Let’s think about living with less. Be brave, government; try things, learn from other countries – keep our communities on the North Shore affordable for young families.
S.M. Kurbis
North Vancouver
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