Dear Editor:
In recent months I have read several letters written to your attention and published in the North Shore News that discuss Hollyburn Properties’ rental proposal at the corner of 13th Street and Lonsdale Avenue. I feel it is important that the public understand the wider context of this application.
I am the CEO of LandlordBC, the professional association that represents the rental housing industry in British Columbia. Our mission as an organization, in addition to educating and supporting our 3,300 members, all of whom are owners and managers of rental housing, is to encourage and support the delivery of safe, secure, sustainable rental housing to the growing constituency of B.C. households (more than 30 per cent and growing) who rely on rental housing to house their families.
We’re in a rental housing supply crisis throughout the Lower Mainland and the social and economic consequences can no longer be ignored. The City of North Vancouver is no exception and is in desperate need of rental housing. It is important to understand that 45 per cent of all households in the CNV rent and we have a vacancy rate of 0.2 per cent in Central Lonsdale and 0.4 per cent in the CNV (a balanced market would be a three to five per cent vacancy rate). Furthermore, the majority of the existing rental stock is old with an estimated 93 per cent of all rental housing units in the CNV more than 36 years old. The rental housing challenge in CNV is further complicated by the fact that we have virtually no developable land.
Unfortunately, those criticizing the project do not seem to sympathize with the need for more rental housing and are focusing on their self-interests. While not all purpose-built rental projects should necessarily be approved, the merits of this project deserve its approval. The project satisfies and/or exceeds all the key considerations a community should care about, including design, compliance with the OCP for density, the necessary sensitivity to traffic and parking, and much more.
What is particularly exciting and rare is that Hollyburn’s project, unlike many other projects in the City of North Vancouver, does not displace any existing rental units. This project addresses the community’s need for more rental housing by proposing a net increase of 144 rental units on a site that currently has no housing on it. It will also increase the total number of three bedroom units in the city by 50 per cent. Given the current housing crisis in the region, we can’t afford to miss this opportunity.
David Hutniak
Chief Executive Officer,
Landlord BC
What are your thoughts? Send us a letter by clicking here or post a comment below.
