Before Saanich council starts patting each other on the back for the rise in vacancy rates based on a rental listing site, realize that this was achieved without implementing the Quadra McKenzie Plan and building towers in neighbourhoods.
Housing experts point to federal government policies on immigration and foreign students that resulted in vacancy rate increases nationwide. What hasn’t been mentioned widely is that the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation reported average rents in the region rose slightly during the past year. This confirms that it is an affordability crisis, not a supply crisis.
Of course, new housing shouldn’t be excluded, but it should be measured and sensitive to established neighbourhoods, the environment, and future infrastructure needs. There are alternative solutions and others that can be explored. TheQuadra McKenzie Plan should also reflect more realistic future housing needs and dial back on the urgency to build high.
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