Housing prices, availability and the rental market are all issues being ignored so far in the B.C. election campaign, according to the 琉璃神社 Lake Country Green Party candidate.

鈥淎ffordable housing and real estate speculation have been a neglected issue in British Columbia,鈥� said Alison Shaw. 鈥淎s a result, thousands spend more than half their income on rent. This is inexcusable. We have a federal government clamping down on mortgages to ensure that no more than a third of people鈥檚 income will be spent on housing, and yet as housing availability crests the 0.5 per cent mark in 琉璃神社, many are left with no other options.鈥�

Shaw wants to work with local governments to enhance existing housing support programs in the area and look to other jurisdictions for ideas about how to reframe the run-away real estate market in Okanagan. She is also passionate about taking a stronger stand against unethical landlords in this hot environment.

鈥淗ousing is such a critical piece of maintaining a thriving local economy,鈥� said Shaw. 鈥淲e need to be asking incisive questions about what are other cities are doing to curb these market impacts? Would a foreign buyers tax be an advantage in the Interior market or some other regulatory instrument?鈥�

The BC Green Party Affordable Homes Strategy will work alongside a suite of other BC Green initiatives that address other relevant aspects to housing affordability such as minimum wage, inflation, and income insecurity, said Shaw.

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