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Housing Q&A: Elias Ishak, Independent

The Burnaby NOW sent the following five questions on housing to each of the Burnaby candidates. Candidates were asked to answer each question in 50 words or less. Here are the answers from Elias Ishak, running as an independent in Burnaby-Deer Lake.
Burnaby Now

The Burnaby NOW sent the following five questions on housing to each of the Burnaby candidates.

 

Candidates were asked to answer each question in 50 words or less. 

 

Here are the answers from Elias Ishak, running as an independent in Burnaby-Deer Lake.

 

 

1. What city do you live in, and what neighbourhood in that city?
 
Burnaby, of course! I am lucky enough to live just across the street from Deer Lake, along Oakland St. My family moved to Canada during the tragic Lebanese Civil War, and I am grateful to have been born and raised in such a peaceful country and city. It’s a blessing.
 
 
2. Do you rent or own your own home?
 
We own our family home, thanks to the determination of my strong single mother, Nada Ishak. Previously, we rented in the blue apartment building across the street from Buy Low Foods, on Royal Oak Ave. I am grateful that my family had the opportunity to rent such an affordable house.
 
 
3. If you own a home, when did you buy it? How has the current housing market situation impacted you?
 
We bought our place more than a decade ago. The only impact is that we’ve had to work very hard to settle and remain here. As refugees of a war, my family isn’t complaining, but, as your representative, I would try to keep our city affordable for immigrants and children.
 
 
4. If you rent, or have another housing arrangement, how has the current housing market situation impacted you?
 
When we were renting, I was a child, but I remember my mother and siblings having to work very hard after my father left. We were lucky enough to have friendly landlords, who invited us to their Church, were flexible on rent, whose children lived in the building, et cetera.
 
 
5. If there is one single policy that the next provincial government can enact to address a housing need, what would that policy be? Be specific.
 
Detached homes should no longer be purchased by anything less than a permanent resident, and non-citizens should not be allowed to own more than one condo, at a time. I would only support such a plan once the issue of home equity loss is sufficiently addressed.