The Mayor’s Task Force on Affordable Housing released its final report, and Mayor Gregor Robertson is urging City Council to give unanimous support to begin implementing the first set of actions.
“Launching this Task Force was my first action after being re-elected, because tackling housing affordability is one of Vancouver’s most urgent priorities,” said Mayor Gregor Robertson. “The Task Force’s report outlines a set of bold and pragmatic actions to confront our city’s lack of affordability. I’m hopeful that Council will support it unanimously.”
A staff report arising from the Task Force report recommends a number of priority actions to be voted on at next week’s City Council meeting. These include:
Developing an operational model and business plan for a City Housing authority;
Initiating “Thin Street” pilot projects through the three Community Plans underway;
Enabling duplexes, row houses and stacked townhouses to be built within 1.5 blocks of an arterial street.
The full list of priority actions and additional recommendations can be found here: http://former.vancouver.ca/ctyclerk/cclerk/20121002/documents/rr2.pdf
“There is no magic solution that will solve Vancouver’s housing affordability challenge, but the Task Force’s recommendations provide a clear framework for progress,” added the Mayor. “Making Vancouver a more affordable city is crucial for our economy, our livability, and for future generations. City Hall needs to take action and now is the time to do it.”
The recommendations from the Mayor’s Task Force on Housing Affordability are targeted to residents with an annual income of $21,500 annual for an individual, up to a combined annual household income of $86,500. Co-chaired by the Mayor and Olga Ilich, its 18 members included real estate experts, academic leaders, home builders, elected officials and not-for-profit housing managers from across Vancouver and the region.
For the final Task Force report, click here: http://bit.ly/housingaction
For the staff report on priority actions, please click here: http://former.vancouver.ca/ctyclerk/cclerk/20121002/documents/rr2.pdf
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