For the Homelessness Action Week 2020 we have sent out 5 questions about Homelessness in Burnaby to all candidates in the Burnaby ridings. We will be posting the answers from the candidates on our website and social media as we receive them. Check back on this post for new updates!
Response from Burnaby BCNDP Candidates
The four Burnaby BC NDP candidates would like to submit a joint response to this questionnaire. We work together as a team to address the issues impacting Burnaby. We combine our many years of experience and our expertise to speak with one voice in order to effectively advocate for our community. On housing, homelessness and other issues, we are stronger together. We are committed to continuing to work with the Burnaby Task Force on Homelessness to ensure that the relevant Ministers are aware of the challenges and opportunities related to homelessness in Burnaby.
1) If elected what resources would your party allocate to increase the supply of affordable and core need housing stock in Burnaby?
Affordable housing is critical, and is fundamental to reducing poverty, stimulating our economy, and improving the health and wellbeing of Burnaby residents.
The BC NDP will continue to build on the progress of the 25,000 affordable homes that are already complete or underway. We are committed to building 114,000 affordable homes in 10 years. We are also going to add 2,200 units of supportive housing, on top of the 2,800 units we’ve already built.
Our 10-year Homes for BC plan has resulted in numerous affordable housing projects being approved in Burnaby. Examples of this are: MacKay Apartments, Cedar Place, Hall Towers and the SUCCESS project at Hastings and Esmond. We have every confidence that under a John Horgan government more will be built. We are committed to continuing to advocate for affordable housing projects in Burnaby.
One reason why the Lower Mainland’s housing market became so expensive under the B.C. Liberals was their inaction on the thousands of empty homes purchased by foreign buyers. We took concrete action by implementing a new speculation tax which turned 11,000 residential units into long-term rentals in 2019 and raised $115 million.
Regulatory action such as the speculation tax is needed at multiple levels. That’s why we will freeze rents until the end of 2021, then cap increases to inflation after that. This will save renters an average of $333/year. In addition, we’ll provide a renter’s rebate of $400 a year for households earning up to $80,000 a year.
We have always worked closely with local non-profits and agencies who advocate for housing and our homeless neighbours. We will continue to work with you, learn from you and find solutions together.
2) If elected, what resources would your party allocate to support people who are homeless and people at risk of homelessness access the health and support services they may need to gain or maintain their housing and quality of life?
For those who are experiencing or at risk of experiencing homelessness, we have a number of programs and supports we plan on implementing. Firstly, we will reduce poverty long-term through our Poverty Reduction Plan. We pledge to improve food security for those in need by partnering with grocery stores and not-for-profits to design and implement food recovery and redistribution programs.
The John Horgan government also funded 280 units of transition housing to help women and children fleeing violence – the first major investment in transition housing in more than 20 years – and we plan to build on this progress.
We’re also committed to adding 800 new treatment beds, new rent supplements for people in supportive housing transitioning into independent living, and 10 new Complex Care homes for our most vulnerable, who need more intensive care than supportive housing provides. We will also invest $25 million for more front-line mental health and social service workers, refocusing police resources on serious crime and criminals.
And to ensure that fewer people enter precarious housing situations, we will add 2,200 more units of supportive housing to the 2,800 we’ve already built and expand on our work of building 114,000 affordable homes in 10 years. 25,000 homes are already built or on the way, and we plan to continue moving forward on our progress.
Because we know that COVID-19 will likely be with us for a long time, we will also freeze rents until 2022, and then tie increases to inflation after that. This will ensure that renters, who often have less financial stability, won’t be unable to afford their rents and lose their homes. We will also reduce the cost of construction of homes by streamlining regulatory processes, and these cost reductions will be passed down to prospective home buyers. We also know that purchasing a home is out of reach for a lot of folks; that’s why we are committed to exploring better, more equitable pathways to home ownership, such as a rent-to-own program.
We know that properly tackling the housing crisis requires a comprehensive and thoughtful plan — not band-aid solutions thrown at the problem.
3) If elected what strategies and resources would your party commit to the prevention of homelessness amongst those at risk such as low income earners and people facing racial or cultural barriers?
Our Poverty Reduction Plan and our 10-year Pathway to Hope mental health plan are integral to the prevention of homelessness.
We will continue on our work of delivering 1,750 new homes for Indigenous peoples, both on- and off-reserve, totalling to a $550 million commitment. We also know that other levels of government have a role to play in this; therefore, we will also call for the federal government to do its share in providing urgent housing for Indigenous people that puts people first and is culturally appropriate.
We will work with BC’s new Human Rights Commissioner to introduce legislation that paves the way for race-based data collection essential to modernizing sectors like policing, health care, and education. Without race-based data, we won’t fully understand what we need to work on and how to get there. This kind of race-based data will be across sectors and help us in continuing to create new legislation and support programs for racialized communities in accessing housing.
Because of the gender pay gap, women are more likely to earn less than their male counterparts. This systemic discrimination has rippling impacts on important aspects of life, such as housing. We will move closer to equal pay for equal work through new pay transparency legislation.
4) What strategies and resources would your party commit to assist low income earners and people living in poverty overcome barriers such as to improved employment, better health and resource access?
Recognizing the continuing challenges faced by people on Income Assistance and Disability Assistance, we extended the additional $300 COVID-19 supplement until the end of December. Based on our Poverty Reduction Plan and the recommendations of the Expert Panel on Basic Income coming later this year, we will then determine the best approach and path forward to reducing poverty long-term and providing opportunities for jobs and skills training for everyone through our Economic Recovery Plan.
In the meantime, many of our platform commitments will assist Burnaby residents living in poverty, along with other Burnaby residents needing support in the context of the current pandemic. Investments like our $1000 Recovery Benefit will help people to address the additional costs the COVID-19 pandemic has created, and give people immediate relief. And programs like free transit for children up to age 12, significant expansions of child care, investments in new Urgent Primary Care Centres, and completing the increase of the minimum wage to above $15/hour, and then tying it to inflation, will make a difference for many of those most in need of opportunities.
A $17.3-million WorkBC contract over three years equips people with disabilities with assistive technology to support employment opportunities.
- The Assistive Technology Services (ATS) program is delivered provincially by Burnaby’s Neil Squire Society, providing consistent, reliable service for people with disabilities, no matter where they live.
- Supports available through the ATS program include:
- mobility supports, alternative keyboards, voice input equipment and other workplace modification technology;
- advice to employers on how to be more accessible and inclusive; and
- training to help people navigate other services and supports to assist with employment.
For better access to health resources, we’re putting $25 million towards more front-line mental health and social service workers. We’ll also expand access to counselling by investing in new e-health and other technologies, because access to care shouldn’t be dependent on the size of your bank account. We’ll also continue to fund mental health intervention teams like the six new Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) teams recently announced.
5) If elected, what will your party do to ensure that Winter Shelters and warming centres are established this winter in Burnaby for local people who are experiencing homelessness?
We are proud that under the John Horgan government, 52 units of supportive housing were opened on Norland Avenue. As well, a 40-bed emergency shelter opened on Douglas Road. Both facilities were sorely needed and are having a positive impact on our homeless population.
As well, BC Housing is working towards securing a site for a short-term Emergency Response Centre. The temporary ERC is expected to operate until the spring of 2021.
This temporary ERC will provide bridge housing for individuals leaving hotel rooms secured by BC Housing for the provision of temporary accommodation during the COVID-19 pandemic.
If re-elected, we will advocate for additional units of supportive housing for Burnaby. The BC NDP’s election platform commits to increase the number of supportive housing units from the 2,800 units already built to at least 5,000 units through our 10-year Homes for BC plan. These units are key to providing alternatives to emergency shelters and homeless encampments.
The BC NDP platform also commits to providing new rent supplements for people who are ready to move from supportive housing to independent living. This will free up space in existing supportive housing.
We look forward to continuing to work with the Task Force on Homelessness and other local advocacy groups should we be re-elected.
Sincerely,
Anne Kang Burnaby-Deer Lake
Katrina Chen Burnaby-Lougheed
Raj Chouhan Burnaby-Edmonds
Janet Routledge Burnaby North
Response from Norinne Shim – Burnaby North Green Party 2020 Candidate
1) If elected, what resources would your party allocate to increase the supply of affordable and core need housing stock in Burnaby?
The BC Green Party supports allowing multi-family homes in amenity-rich areas as a broad and basic principle of housing equity. I will advocate for more funding for Burnaby from BC Housing, faster approvals for residential projects representing “missing middle” walk up housing, more accessible funding for nonprofit organizations to build, and partner with nonprofit organizations to build more affordable housing on underutilized provincially owned lands.
2) If elected, what resources would your party allocate to support people who are homeless and people at risk of homelessness access the health and support services they may need to gain or maintain their housing and quality of life?
In this time of unprecedented change, I believe it is imperative that everyone have a place to call home. We all need the stability, safety, and support that comes with knowing we have a place to rest our heads at night. Housing is a top priority for me, not only for the purpose of housing itself, but I also believe the “Housing First” model to be of significant value when addressing mental health and addictions. In saying that, the intersection between homelessness and mental health is a critical area of focus for the Green Party as well. Not only would the Green Party commit to ensuring that mental health supports are included in MSP for all, we would also commit to launching a new Rental Support Program which would be available to anyone subjected to paying more than 30% of their income on rent.
3) If elected what strategies and resources would your party commit to the prevention of homelessness amongst those at risk such as low income earners and people facing racial or cultural barriers?
This is a complex issue that deserves a complex response. However, in brief, some areas I would focus on are advocating for low-income housing to be built in amenity-rich and community-friendly locations. Often, the transit time and cost to/from work and other essential amenities creates unnecessary barriers for low-income earners to get to work, access mental health, education or employment supports, and other essential amenities (e.g., grocery stores, clinics, banks). In addition, isolation and loneliness caused by living in an area with little to no community support can increase the risk of “falling through the cracks”. Many low-income earners rely on community support to maintain employment/education and even, to simply make trips to the grocery stores and clinics that so many of us take for granted. These are just some of the areas that I think would need to be addressed with further consultation being had with those impacted by such decisions.
4) What strategies and resources would your party commit to assist low income earners and people living in poverty overcome barriers such as to improve employment, better health and resource access?
The BC Greens have committed to a needs based subsidy for those who are spending more than 30% of their income on rent. We also recognize the ways in which mental health and homelessness are interlinked, and have proposed a $1.0 billion dollar investment in the provincial mental health system, these mental health supports need to be in accessible locations near low-income housing. Furthermore, we recognize the impact that costly childcare options have on the poverty cycle, it is imperative that we look at ways to make childcare more accessible so people can afford to work.
5) If elected, what will your party do to ensure that Winter Shelters and warming centres are established this winter in Burnaby for local people who are experiencing homelessness?
When the NDP called the election they prevented local housing initiatives access to funding from BC housing until after the election was finalized in mid November. This is too late for many people living rough in Burnaby. As such, if elected, I will make this a priority and advocate for local organizations to immediately access funding for Winter Shelters.
Response from Burnaby BC Liberal Candidates
1) If elected what resources would your party allocate to increase the supply of affordable and core need housing stock in Burnaby?
The NDP have broken their promises to ensure affordable housing op9ons for Bri9sh Columbians. Out of a promised 114,000 more affordable homes, they have only opened 2,963 units. House prices, rents and property taxes con9nue to grow, making housing even less affordable.
BC Liberals will implement the most comprehensive housing affordability strategy in North America, to provide new supply and affordable housing op9ons for you and all Bri9sh Columbians.
A BC Liberal government will:
- Establish an incen9ve fund for municipali9es with housing policies that enabledemonstrable increases in the construc9on and supply of new housing.
- Implement tax and permiQng changes to boost housing supply, including rental and market housing, to increase choice and improve affordability for Bri9sh Columbians.
- Work with municipali9es to review the current property tax structure to incen9vize affordable housing development, prevent specula9on and drive affordable rental housing.
- Ensure no net loss of rental units in real estate redevelopment projects.
- Develop tax-relief measures to help people hurt by COVID-19 economic impacts to keeptheir homes.
- Create a new residen9al property sub-class for rental housing of three or more units.
- Change BC Assessment prac9ces to ensure rental proper9es are no longer valued based on the highest and best use, but rather on actual rental use.
- Use provincial and municipal land for affordable housing.
- Support and develop co-opera9ve housing and other alterna9ve ownership models.
Our housing plaaorm is backed up with serious money — $1.75 billion over three years in capital funding and $146 million in new opera9ng funding — to increase supply and affordability across the en9re housing spectrum so that all Bri9sh Columbians can have a place to call home.
For further details on our comprehensive housing strategy, please see our plaaorm.
2) If elected, what resources would your party allocate to support people who are homeless and people at risk of homelessness access the health and support services they may need to gain or maintain their housing and quality of life?
The BC Liberals are commi\ed to inves9ng in geQng homeless Bri9sh Columbians a home and connec9ng them with the health and social service supports they need.
For further details on our comprehensive housing strategy, please see our plaaorm.
3) If elected what strategies and resources would your party commit to the preven:on of homelessness amongst those at risk such as low income earners and people facing racial or cultural barriers?
The BC Liberals are proud to have created and supported the Homelessness Preven9on Program, which assists youth transi9oning out of foster care, women who have experienced violence or are at risk of violence, individuals leaving the hospital and correc9onal systems, and Indigenous people by providing them with rent supplements in the private housing market. Eligible renters receive monthly payments to ensure that they do not lose their home and become homeless.
The pandemic has exacerbated financial stress for many people. That’s why our plaaorm includes commitments to develop tax-relief measures to help people hurt by COVID-19 economic impacts to keep their homes.
4) What strategies and resources would your party commit to assist low income earners and people living in poverty overcome barriers such as to improved employment, beLer health and resource access?
The COVID-19 pandemic has hit low-income people hard, especially women. The BC Liberals are commi\ed to get people back on their feet and rebuild BC’s economy.
A BC Liberal government will:
- Expand the provincial Single Parent Employment Ini9a9ve, to train and support single parents as they seek employment opportuni9es.
- Reduce the Provincial Sales Tax to 0% for a full year. It is widely agreed that the PST is a regressive tax, because it taxes a larger amount of low-income people’s spending than those with higher incomes. Someone earning minimum wage will save almost $500 per year on average.
1) If elected what resources would your party allocate to increase the supply of affordable and core need housing stock in Burnaby?
The NDP have broken their promises to ensure affordable housing op9ons for Bri9sh Columbians. Out of a promised 114,000 more affordable homes, they have only opened 2,963 units. House prices, rents and property taxes con9nue to grow, making housing even less affordable.
BC Liberals will implement the most comprehensive housing affordability strategy in North America, to provide new supply and affordable housing op9ons for you and all Bri9sh Columbians.
A BC Liberal government will:
- Establish an incen9ve fund for municipali9es with housing policies that enabledemonstrable increases in the construc9on and supply of new housing.
- Implement tax and permiQng changes to boost housing supply, including rental and market housing, to increase choice and improve affordability for Bri9sh Columbians.
- Work with municipali9es to review the current property tax structure to incen9vize affordable housing development, prevent specula9on and drive affordable rental housing.
- Ensure no net loss of rental units in real estate redevelopment projects.
- Develop tax-relief measures to help people hurt by COVID-19 economic impacts to keeptheir homes.
- Create a new residen9al property sub-class for rental housing of three or more units.
- Change BC Assessment prac9ces to ensure rental proper9es are no longer valued based on the highest and best use, but rather on actual rental use.
- Use provincial and municipal land for affordable housing.
- Support and develop co-opera9ve housing and other alterna9ve ownership models.Facebook: @bcliberals | Twi\er: @bcliberals | @ Instagram: @bcliberals.com Authorized by the BC Liberal Party, David Goldsmith, 1-800-567-2257 | www.bcliberals.com
Our housing plaaorm is backed up with serious money — $1.75 billion over three years in capital funding and $146 million in new opera9ng funding — to increase supply and affordability across the en9re housing spectrum so that all Bri9sh Columbians can have a place to call home.
For further details on our comprehensive housing strategy, please see our plaaorm.
2) If elected, what resources would your party allocate to support people who are homeless and people at risk of homelessness access the health and support services they may need to gain or maintain their housing and quality of life?
The BC Liberals are commi\ed to inves9ng in geQng homeless Bri9sh Columbians a home and connec9ng them with the health and social service supports they need.
For further details on our comprehensive housing strategy, please see our plaaorm.
3) If elected what strategies and resources would your party commit to the preven:on of homelessness amongst those at risk such as low income earners and people facing racial or cultural barriers?
The BC Liberals are proud to have created and supported the Homelessness Preven9on Program, which assists youth transi9oning out of foster care, women who have experienced violence or are at risk of violence, individuals leaving the hospital and correc9onal systems, and Indigenous people by providing them with rent supplements in the private housing market. Eligible renters receive monthly payments to ensure that they do not lose their home and become homeless.
The pandemic has exacerbated financial stress for many people. That’s why our plaaorm includes commitments to develop tax-relief measures to help people hurt by COVID-19 economic impacts to keep their homes.
4) What strategies and resources would your party commit to assist low income earners and people living in poverty overcome barriers such as to improved employment, beLer health and resource access?
The COVID-19 pandemic has hit low-income people hard, especially women. The BC Liberals are commi\ed to get people back on their feet and rebuild BC’s economy.
A BC Liberal government will:
- Expand the provincial Single Parent Employment Ini9a9ve, to train and support single parents as they seek employment opportuni9es.
- Reduce the Provincial Sales Tax to 0% for a full year. It is widely agreed that the PST is a regressive tax, because it taxes a larger amount of low-income people’s spending than those with higher incomes. Someone earning minimum wage will save almost $500 per year on average.
- Invest $1.1 billion annually to implement $10-per-day childcare for families with with annual incomes under $65,000, with stepped rates up to household incomes of $125,000 per year.5) If elected, what will your party do to ensure that Winter Shelters and warming centres are established this winter in Burnaby for local people who are experiencing homelessness?The BC Liberals are commi\ed to inves9ng in geQng homeless Bri9sh Columbians in Burnaby a home and connec9ng them with the health and social service supports they need, that includes ensuring adequate shelter capacity for people experiencing homelessness.
- Invest $1.1 billion annually to implement $10-per-day childcare for families with with annual incomes under $65,000, with stepped rates up to household incomes of $125,000 per year.5) If elected, what will your party do to ensure that Winter Shelters and warming centres are established this winter in Burnaby for local people who are experiencing homelessness?The BC Liberals are commi\ed to inves9ng in geQng homeless Bri9sh Columbians in Burnaby a home and connec9ng them with the health and social service supports they need, that includes ensuring adequate shelter capacity for people experiencing homelessness.