Norm Macdonald MLA                                Columbia River – Revelstoke

MEDIA RELEASE

For immediate release

October 2nd, 2007

Campbell’s lack of leadership leaves southeastern BC in a housing crisis: Macdonald

On October 31st, developers in Fernie will evict 51 tenants from their homes, adding to the already identified 30 family groups who are currently in need of accessible and affordable shelter. Without the assistance of provincial regulations and programs, existing affordable housing units will be eliminated from the housing stock in resort communities throughout southeastern British Columbia.

“Local governments in these communities are doing what they can to address the affordable housing issue, but without a comprehensive strategy that specifically addresses rural resort communities those who are the most vulnerable will be left without shelter,” stated Norm Macdonald, the MLA for Columbia River – Revelstoke.

“In Kimberley, Revelstoke, Golden, and most dramatically in Invermere, we are facing a crisis in affordable housing. Low income, single parent families and those with disabilities are being pushed out of their homes and out of our communities.”

Macdonald has been holding community forums throughout his constituency and one of the most commonly raised issues is the lack of accessible, affordable housing, but participants also spoke passionately about the need to retain diversity in their communities.

“Constituents tell me that healthy communities are communities that provide a quality living environment for people of all ages and all income levels. The loss of affordable housing units has tremendous negative impact on the diversity of a community.”

To date, the provincial government has shown no interest in addressing the housing crisis in rural resort communities.

“Rural BC is consistently at the bottom of the BC Liberal list. We produce the wealth of this province and deserve to have our concerns taken seriously by the provincial government. It is time for the Minister responsible for Housing to put a real plan on the table.”

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