Image: Wayne on the doorstep, talking with voters. Credit: Ursula Heller
YOUR QUESTION:
What measures would you take to address the problems many Canadians are facing when trying to find affordable housing? I’d love to know how the NDP plan will address the severe housing crisis here in the Kootenays?
WAYNE'S comments:
“The lack of affordable housing impacts people personally and is also a limiting factor in business expansion in Kootenay Columbia.
That kind of granular planning (of the NDP) will take a clear understanding of what people here need, and it will take real collaboration between federal, provincial, and municipal governments working with the amazing community groups focussed on housing to truly make a difference! My experience in all three levels has prepared me to dig into that kind of collaboration and find – and implement - solutions that work for our communities.
One constituent recently suggested a tax break for property owners who are able to provide social or low-cost housing. Tax incentives: that’s something that might be worth looking at. I definitely want to hear whatever creative ideas people may have to solve the problems we face. Keep ‘em coming!”
THE NDP’s COMMITMENT:
“Making Sure Everyone Can Afford a Place to Call Home”
“Canada is in the midst of a national housing crisis impacting every area of the country: Average rents rose in every single province last year, and 1.6 million Canadian households spend more than 30 percent of their income on housing. Canada has the fastest growing house prices in all of the G7, a trend that shows no signs of slowing.
New Democrats believe that it’s time to help people – now. We have an ambitious plan that will make a difference in every community in our country – because finding a good, affordable place to live shouldn’t be like winning the lottery. It’s time to relieve the stress and worry that people feel by choosing to make it easier to rent and buy a home.”
The NDP plan will help address the housing crisis at the source. It includes:
Creating at least 500,000 units of quality, affordable housing in the next ten years, with half of that done within five years.
Work in partnership with provinces and municipalities
Build capacity for social, community, and affordable housing providers,
Provide rental support for co-ops,
Meet environmental energy efficiency goals.
Economically speaking:
Create thousands of jobs in communities all across the country,
Jump-start the economic recovery,
Help Canadians get the affordable housing they need.
Set-up dedicated fast-start funds to:
Streamline the application process,
Help communities get the expertise and assistance they need to get projects off the ground now,
Waive the federal portion of the GST/HST on the construction of new affordable rental units
Mobilize federal resources and lands for these projects, turning unused and under-used properties into vibrant new communities,
Re-introducing 30-year terms for CMHC insured mortgages for first-time home buyers,
Putting in place a 20% Foreign Buyers Tax,
Dedicating fast-start funds to help communities get the expertise and assistance they need to get housing projects off the ground now.
Read about the New Democratic Party's "Affordability" Commitments in Ready for Better.
Search for "Affordability" in the search bar on this website for blog posts in the Affordability Series.
View Wayne's Vision and Accomplishments.