Dear Editor:
Re: Affordable Housing issue Aired at Public Hearing, June 19 news story
Lynn Valley has been my home most of my life — from the decrepit 2931 Mountain Hwy. (first home as a young adult) to several rentals in the area for the last 30 years.
It was nice to see the new buildings at 27th (Street) and Whitely Court. Sad to see the old building go but at that point I was not thinking about the larger plan.
We cannot continue to replace affordable housing with new small, pricey condos unaffordable and too small for the previous tenants. This is getting out of hand.
Recently, as well as Whitely Court, 27th and Mountain Highway lost several rental units. Now 27th across from the mall? As well, 2931 and the two other buildings on Mountain Highway, I fear, are soon to be the next targets. Where are these people going to go? Is there any concern for low to mid-income renters in our community plan? No!
That leaves Mountain Court and Emery Village for rental spaces in Lynn Valley. Having just left the latter last July, it was pricey and its rent increased after we left.
We looked so long last July for a space in Lynn Valley we could afford, almost taking a suite on 27th. We found a beautiful basement suite just before month’ end and we were lucky.
There are not enough basement suites to fill the void and leaving this area was something we looked at (but) didn’t want to.
This development has to stop.
Those who build these new projects and the district must work together to replace rentals at a reasonable rate, not at current market value.
We now live in the most expensive place on earth and as there is money to be made in teardowns and displacement, something has to give.
Savannagh Ryane
North Vancouver
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