Langley Advance Times is offering this weekly feature called “At Your Service.”
It’s another forum in which to put questions to our local politicians about key issues facing our community and its residents.
Using a basic question-and-answer format, elected officials will be asked one question at a time and given the opportunity to respond (to a maximum of 250 words) on that said issue.
Alternating between elected groups, Langley City and Langley Township councils, Langley School Board, Langley MLAs, and Langley MPs each have a chance to participate.
The answers provided will be published in their entirety online Sundays.
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QUESTION
Langley MLAs were asked: Should the province take advantage of cooling home prices to create more co-ops/affordable rentals/social housing options in Langley?
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ANSWERS
Abbotsford South MLA Bruce Banman
A. Abbotsford, Langley, and other cities in our region are facing a critical housing crisis fuelled by B.C.’s growing population and inadequate housing supply.
For a long time, British Columbians have been calling on the provincial government to engage with stakeholders to develop housing of all types. However, broken promises and disruptive inefficiencies under the current NDP government show no real progress.
Under recent Housing Minister David Eby’s leadership of the NDP’s Building BC program, only a disappointing six per cent — that is 7,219 units — of the promised 114,000 homes have opened.
If that isn’t bad enough, the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation reported that in order to deliver even some affordability, B.C. would have to open an additional 570,000 homes within the next eight years. Unable to meet their own goals, the NDP’s disappointing track record shows that these targets are simply unachievable.
The cost of buying or renting a home continues to skyrocket, at the same time that people in the Fraser Valley and beyond are coping with rising inflation and the cost of everything going up – from fuel to groceries and more. The NDP has promised measures to combat inflation as well as an annual $400 renters’ rebate, but neither has materialized.
Can the NDP government be trusted to build housing when they can’t keep their own promises?
B.C. deserves a proactive government that takes effective action, not one with flashy promises and no results.
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Abbotsford West MLA Michael de Jong
A. As B.C.’s population continues to grow, and more people move to Langley and the Fraser Valley, building more of all different types of housing will be absolutely essential.
Our provincial government must partner with municipalities and the private sector to build housing that meets the needs of our community — unfortunately, we have yet to see any real progress on this from the current NDP government.
Despite all their promises, the NDP have consistently failed to make life more affordable for British Columbians, and ignored the importance of creating adequate housing supply in our province.
According to recent Housing Minister David Eby, the NDP’s flagship Building BC housing program has only opened 7,219 units of housing — just six per cent – of their 114,000 promised homes. Making matters worse, a recent report from Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation estimated that B.C. will need to build 570,000 additional homes by 2030 to deliver any sort of affordability, far above the NDP’s goal.
A recently published Ernst & Young report also found numerous problems at the provincial Crown corporation BC Housing, leading to Eby quietly firing the board of directors on a Friday night, and the resignation of the CEO a few weeks later.
It’s clear that B.C. desperately needs more housing options, but until the NDP indicates a change in direction and the ability to work on realistic solutions, we will not see an end to the current housing crisis.
It’s time for serious action to increase supply and meet the housing needs of British Columbians.
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Langley-East MLA Megan Dykeman
A. Our government is fully committed to bringing more affordable housing to Langley at all times, and something we have been actively addressing.
I was thrilled to see the announcement on the beginning of construction at Park Vista, which will be completed in Winter of 2023.
The government’s Housing Hub program provides low-cost financing for developers with low-interest rates who want to build rentals or homes for purchase for low- or middle-income people and families. The savings will go directly back into the pockets of renters or buyers.
Housing Hub is a great example of how the province can support developers creating affordable homes in taking advantage of a cooling market. It is a key part of our government’s commitment to create 114,000 homes in partnership over 10 years.
Through Housing Hub, the government provided $19.7 million towards the development of Park Vista, and I’m looking forward to seeing the project complete.
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Langley MLA Andrew Mercier
A. Our provincial government has been working since 2017 to make the largest investment in housing in the history of British Columbia, and that includes significant investments here in Langley.
While the province does not have a role in administrating co-ops specifically, we have created a number of affordable housing projects in Langley. From supportive homes for seniors, youth, low- and middle-income families, and people in the community at risk of experiencing or experiencing homelessness, the B.C. NDP has shown it’s committed to addressing the housing crisis here in Langley.
Earlier this month, we announced that construction is underway on Park Vista, which will provide a mix of one- two- and three-bedroom units that are designed to be affordable for middle-income families. Construction is set to be completed in winter of 2023.
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UP NEXT
Next week, Langley’s MPs are being asked: What can Canada do to position itself as a leader in clean energy and battery technology through the next decade?
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Watch for the politicians’ answers online Sundays.
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PAST COVERAGE
AT YOUR SERVICE: City council weighs in on supervised consumption sites
AT YOUR SERVICE: Langley trustees applaud positives found amid pandemic
AT YOUR SERVICE: Township council weighs in on lack of industrial land
AT YOUR SERVICE: MLAs see feds as partners in SkyTrain to Langley
AT YOUR SERVICE: Creating more housing, on all fronts, critical to stabilization: MPs
AT YOUR SERVICE: Heat wave another call to action – City council
AT YOUR SERVICE: Pools need to be part of Township-wide recreation planning
AT YOUR SERVICE: No current need for year-round schooling in Langley, trustees agree
AT YOUR SERVICE: MLAs suggest staying the course on battling of B.C. wildfire
AT YOUR SERVICE: MPs call for borders to be safely re-opened
AT YOUR SERVICE: Langley City council wants to keep higher density development north of Nicomekl
AT YOUR SERVICE: Passports key to keeping B.C. businesses open, people safe during pandemic
AT YOUR SERVICE: Trustees ponder what kids are missing out on during pandemic
AT YOUR SERVICE: Education should trump rules for vaccination of health-care workers, suggest MLAs
AT YOUR SERVICE: How to handle rising housing prices
AT YOUR SERVICE: City council divided on call for indoor pool
AT YOUR SERVICE: Council ponders vaccine requirements for workers
AT YOUR SERVICE: Skyrocketing enrolment prompts intensified lobby by trustees
AT YOUR SERVICE: Political stripes aside, MLAs agree heat dome was tragic and action required
AT YOUR SERVICE: MPs agree much must be done to right wrongs for Indigenous
AT YOUR SERVICE: Is pay parking in the City a viable consideration?
AT YOUR SERVICE: Some suggest more needed to protect floodplains from development
AT YOUR SERVICE: Monitoring student transport not good use of school district resources – trustees
AT YOUR SERVICE: Liberal caucus floats all-party committee in reaction to emergencies
AT YOUR SERVICE: Langley MPs address issue of rising food costs
AT YOUR SERVICE: Inflation inevitably hits City taxpayers in the pocketbook
AT YOUR SERVICE: Future of Aldergrove core up for debate
AT YOUR SERVICE: Trees and more greenspace at root of climate change solutions
AT YOUR SERVICE: Inflation inevitably hits City taxpayers in the pocketbook
AT YOUR SERVICE: Councillors differ on future of SkyTrain beyond Langley City
AT YOUR SERVICE: Bigger schools not necessarily solution to rising land costs
AT YOUR SERVICE: High gas prices of concern for MLAs of both stripes
AT YOUR SERVICE: Empty homes can be safety concern, but not huge concern in City
AT YOUR SERVICE: Most of council content with current pothole repairs
AT YOUR SERVICE: Survey gives school district tools for staff recruitment, retention
AT YOUR SERVICE: Liberal MLAs call for overhaul to B.C.’s student funding model
AT YOUR SERVICE: Canada must continue its support of Ukraine, MPs
AT YOUR SERVICE: Best use of industrial land paramount to Langley City councillors
AT YOUR SERVICE: More ALR land needs to be used for farming: Most of council
AT YOUR SERVICE: Local MLAs agree more must be done to make life affordable in B.C.
AT YOUR SERVICE: Federal parties working on multiple fronts to end hate crimes
AT YOUR SERVICE: Langley City ponders cannabis retail policy
AT YOUR SERVICE – Most on council say parks and rec plans address future growth
AT YOUR SERVICE: School district moves forward on reconciliation efforts with Indigenous partners
AT YOUR SERVICE: MLAs agree diking upgrades needed, divided on if enough is being done
AT YOUR SERVICE: Local MPs disagree on whether 2 billion trees can be planted by 2030
AT YOUR SERVICE: In light of SkyTrain coming, Langley City embarks on parking study
AT YOUR SERVICE: Langley Township should consider schools for future cooling centres
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