Photo: BC Liberals<\/p>\n
Ben Stewart<\/p>\n
The BC Liberals are calling on the provincial government to increase spending on housing and transportation in the province.<\/p>\n
The opposition party made the call following a recent virtual roundtable hosted by the Liberal caucus.<\/p>\n
The roundtable was attended by about 170 people from across the province.<\/p>\n
Kelowna West MLA Ben Stewart, who also serves as the Liberal housing critic says in order to make housing more affordable, the housing stock needs to increase.<\/p>\n
Many participants remarked on the lack of supply, and the need for more purpose-built rental housing and more homes for sale across B.C.,\" said Stewart.<\/p>\n
\"This becomes even more urgent in light of the BC Real Estate Associations recent finding that the supply of homes for sale in B.C. has hit a 21-year low.<\/p>\n
\"Under these circumstances, it would take an estimated 34 years to save for a typical Vancouver home its time for the government to take action on affordability and get serious about increasing supply.<\/p>\n
The latest CMHA report indicates the rental vacancy rate in the province is 2.4 per cent in communities with a population greater than 10,000.<\/p>\n
The Liberals also say they heard from people who are feeling the strain of a lack of sustainable transportation networks to and from their communities.<\/p>\n
Whether it is a lack of transit options in Surrey, the need for inter-city bus services including in northern B.C., the Kootenays, and on Vancouver Island, or the demand for the completion of the four-laning of Highway 1 beyond Kamloops to the Alberta border without further delays, it is critical that the NDP invests more in transportation throughout our province,\" said Michael Lee, MLA for Vancouver-Langara and Liberal transportation critic.<\/p>\n
\"We need to ensure that during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond, communities have access to the transportation options they rely on and need.<\/p>\n
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A BC Liberal sponsored roundtable suggests more spending is needed for housing and transportation - Kelowna News - Castanet.net<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Photo: BC Liberals Ben Stewart The BC Liberals are calling on the provincial government to increase spending on housing and transportation in the province. The opposition party made the call following a recent virtual roundtable hosted by the Liberal caucus. Continue reading