Housing Q&A: Katrina Chen, B.C. NDP

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 Katrina Chen, running for the B.C. NDP in Burnaby-Lougheed.

1. What city do you live in, and what neighbourhood in that city?

My family lives in Burnaby, in the Edmonds area.

2. Do you rent or own your own home?

We own a small condo that promotes energy conservation and sustainable living.

3. If you own a home, when did you buy it? How has the current housing market situation impacted you?

My husband and I bought our small condo five years ago. We have been searching for a slightly larger place for our growing family but we can't find anything affordable because under Christy Clark and the B.C. Liberals, they have done nothing to stop the price of homes from skyrocketing.

4. If you rent, or have another housing arrangement, how has the current housing market situation impacted you?

N/A

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.

A B.C. NDP government will take major steps to make housing more affordable with a comprehensive 10-year plan that includes building 114,000 affordable rental, non-profit and co-op housing units through partnerships over 10 years. We’ll close loopholes that let speculators dodge taxes and ensure controls on rent increases are enforced.