Being Poor in Vancouver Requires A Fat Purse

A rose by any other name may still be a rose but if you change the definition of social housing you change the thing completely.

The proposed changes in the definition of social housing by the City of Vancouver are problematic. The essential component in the definition of 'social housing' is that it provide housing for those who cannot raise the means to house themselves. The definition of social housing must to be tied to income, ability and need.

The new proposed definition implies that social housing could be met in the City of Vancouver with accommodation and housing at market rates if the accommodation or housing is owned or operated by a non-profit, a co-op, or by the City. Under the proposed definition the City could claim 10,000 suites of 'social housing' in the inventory (as an example) even if the average rent is $1800 a month. People in BC receiving a Disability II pension (people permanently unable to work) receive about $980.00 a month and they are able to earn up to an additional $200 for a maximum monthly income of less than $1200. These are people who are dying, have advanced levels of MS, or other debilitating illnesses or conditions.

If your math and budget-making skills are like mine you can immediately see a problem.

If you think "co-op" housing is inherently affordable read this headline from Forbes March 2012, "Manhattan's $60 Million Apartment Will Be The Most Expensive Co-op Sale Ever.

And click here for a listing (as of March 13, 2014) in Vancouver, BC for a co-op unit ($209,000).


And if you think that "non-profits" are inherently social then consider that the Canadian Federation of Taxpayers is a,  "right-wing Canadian federally incorporated, non-profit political organization." A non-profit organizational structure can serve many different purposes and intentions, including housing for golf-loving millionaires (please let me join, please let me join, please, please, please).

See what The Mainlander says about the proposed change in the definition of social housing by the City of Vancouver by clicking here.  Check out Melissa Fong here.

The definition of social housing, for it to be a mitzvah, must be tied to income and need.