In this two-part series I want to touch on aspects of the housing crisis in 麻豆社国产I feel have not been addressed, and are crucial to our conversation on growth in the district. 聽
Finishing my first year of university, I was eager to come back to my hometown to visit friends and family, and enjoy the beautiful scenery I so fondly missed. But I came back to find my community immensely different than before.聽
It seemed that I could not walk a stretch along the water or down the trails without seeing either a development proposal or a new, expensive condominium.聽
Everywhere I looked. it seemed the town was catering to a new demographic, another bedroom community for Vancouver.聽
Lack of backyards, more car usage, higher density.聽
The divide is clear between old and new based on socioeconomic status.聽
Long-time 麻豆社国产residents are frustrated by the stark reality they may need to move away in order to own a home, being shut out of the hyper-inflated market due to the influx of 鈥渘ew money.鈥澛� One of my biggest concerns is marginalized communities in 麻豆社国产becoming forgotten, in order to create and uphold a scene of tourist paradise. I have seen it so aggressively in both Whistler and Vancouver.聽
Because these cities attract significant income, they forget to support communities who struggle because of lack of resources, prejudice and financial stresses. And if you are struggling to understand what it is I am talking about, look beyond the malls and ski hills at the people who are thrown aside to cater to the rich.聽
They exist, and should be treated as a priority to the community just as much as everyone else.聽
It is no surprise that there is a stigma attached to lower-income families. Places in 麻豆社国产that do offer affordable housing are badged with titles such as 鈥渢he ghettos of Squamish鈥� or the 鈥渟ketchy鈥� neighbourhoods.聽
There has been more than a few occasions where I had to correct people on their language and remind them of their privilege. It is easy to demean a situation or lifestyle when you have never experienced the stress of finding a place where expensive housing is the only kind available. Not only is this degrading towards those who live there, but it is cruel. Perhaps what you should be judgemental about is the stereotypes imposed on these communities, the need for affordable housing and why people facing these challenges exist in a thriving community like Squamish.聽
Instead, ask yourself what can be done to end these negative labels. It is easy to forget the human part when discussing economic expansion.聽
We are all guilty of that.聽
But a community means inclusivity, compassion and cooperation. And we need to include all voices, not just potential developers, when discussing changes to our growing community.聽
