Burnaby mayor defends ‘renovictions’ in Metrotown

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BURNABY (NEWS 1130) – The mayor of Burnaby is making no apologies for letting large high rises replace low cost housing in Metrotown.

Speaking at the unveiling of some artwork outside the new Modello tower built by Boffo Developments, Derek Corrigan insists the city needs more properties like it — even if it means displacing some longtime occupants.

“There is a significant number of people who feel that they shouldn’t have to move out of this area, that we should retain it just as it is. That, unfortunately, is just not the solution. If we’re going to look at utilizing our transit system properly, we have to increase density around it and give more people an opportunity to live close to transit.”

Corrigan says renters expecting to pay $400 a month for homes in territory as valuable as Metrotown are being unrealistic.

LISTEN: NEWS 1130 reporter Marcella Bernardo grills Burnaby Mayor Derek Corrigan on housing

 

“Either you’re going to go through renovations of those buildings in which people are going to be renovicted, as they move to repair the buildings, or alternatively, you’re going to be looking at projects that deal with more density in which the buildings are torn down. Those are the realities.”

He adds efforts are being made to build in areas of the city not considered as valuable as Metrotown thanks to local developers like the Boffo family who help pay for construction of affordable housing in other parts of Burnaby.

“I have lots of sympathy for people, I mean, I would like to be able to deliver everyone a home for $400 a month, but that isn’t the reality in a market economy, so, while you give people tea and sympathy, what I want to do is find solutions.”

Corrigan also says more support is needed from other levels of government.

“Where we’re buying properties in other areas of the city, providing those to not-for-profits in order to give opportunities for social or not-for-profit housing, but it’s a very difficult thing to do without the support from the federal and provincial government.”

Corrigan’s comments echo similar statements made by Vancouver mayor Gregor Robertson since a promise he made to end homelessness in his city by 2015 remains unfulfilled.

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