Editor:
Re: Housing proposal gains support (Coast Reporter, Dec. 12)
I was pleased to see coverage regarding the emerging Community Land Trust (CLT) focused on affordable housing on the Sunshine Coast. The Sunshine Coast Housing Committee (SCHC) is excited to be working on developing a long-term sustainable solution to the issue of affordable rental and ownership housing on the Sunshine Coast, among other projects.
I would like to clarify a couple of points made in the article and their relationship with the CLT. In the article, the reporter identified three potential concerns for a CLT. In fact, these concerns are related to the development of a Housing Corporation, a model of housing provider developed and operated through local government. These concerns were identified in 2009 report by CitySpaces.
The committee has proposed the CLT model precisely because of its ability to address or avoid these challenges through a model of housing provision that is more community-based in its approach. The CLT would have very different funding sources and requirements from senior government than a local government housing corporation might be required to bring to the table.
Also worth noting is that the other housing types cited during the presentation (eight units of mental health housing and SCACL’s work) are examples of housing that has recently been developed by other community agencies, addressing other areas of the housing spectrum where residents may require more support. Many of these housing projects were in place prior to the development of the committee.
The District of Sechelt, Town of Gibsons and Sunshine Coast Regional District have provided significant leadership in funding SCHC over the last two years and the Community Land Trust model represents an exciting next step in the work undertaken by the committee.
Matt Thomson, coordinator for the Sunshine Coast Housing Committee
