Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Three Housing Proposals - Three Rejections

... because neither political entity, city or province, would commit before the other would.

An article out today, written by Monte Paulsen for The Tyee, backs up my comments in yesterday's economicus ridiculous post regarding tiny homes. I wrote then that the problem is not a shortage of ideas for extremely low-cost, low-maintenance, environmentally-friendly shelter for permanent housing. The problem is politicians without the courage of vision or the willingness to act.

Paulsen writes of three great proposals made to provide CHEAP dwellings to house people who are homeless or of low income in Vancouver. That is, truly 'affordable housing' for anyone, not just affordable for the middle class.

The proposals went to the province for consideration. All three proposals were turned down.

The city wouldn't commit because the province wouldn't commit. The province wouldn't commit because the city wouldn't commit. And round and round we go ... as people die.

4 comments:

Saskboy said...

It's not like people who can't afford anything including a cable TV connection need a place bigger than 800 sq feet, and even then that may be too big a place if there are few nick-nacks to fill it. Tinier homes seems like a common sense solution to a lack of affordable housing, so I doubt governments will implement the idea because it makes sense.

Chrystal Ocean said...

Governments won't implement the idea because they've a vested interest in maintaining the status quo. That would be the construction or maintaining of neighbourhoods of monster homes or square footage far in excess of what people need, and housing for investment rather than, you know, for SHELTER.

By the way, a single person doesn't need more than a few hundred square foot of shelter. I'd be happy with something as small as 100. Some dwellings are as tiny as 64 square feet; they're adorable and self-contained with a toilet/shower combo and cooking range. (I'd be fine with a communal bathroom facility, provided it was secure and maintained in pristine condition.)

Saskboy said...

It's not too different from dorm living, which is quite livable, and I have lots of experience with. 800 sq feet would be nice for families, otherwise I agree, 150 sq feet would be fine for single people needing safe and warm shelter.

The investment problem is a big one.

Chrystal Ocean said...

Exactly! I've lived in a dorm quite happily. They provide everything one needs. Too bad our society treats excess as the norm.