Dear Editor:
Re: Province is working to provide seniors' housing, Letters to the editor, Burnaby NOW, Jan. 16.
Richard Lee (Liberal MLA) sends a glowing note to the NOW about the programs his government is offering in housing. He only mentions two, Housing Matters B.C. and the SAFER grant (Shelter Aid for Elderly Renters), which is part of the first.
I find this offensive, and here's why. If the federal and provincial governments were living up to their responsibilities to provide social and affordable housing, why is it that the city governments are being pressured to meet this need? If city governments receive only eight cents of every tax dollar (while the federal and provincial governments get 92 cents), how are they to provide this necessary service?
With the SAFER grant, the provincial government follows the federal views of dealing the each individual case, one person at a time. This does not solve the problem.
We need social housing for hard-to- house, and for poor people in general. Many seniors live on fixed, and very low, incomes. They will never be able to pay the exorbitant rents that are demanded in the Lower Mainland.
Social housing that is built for the needs of frail and handicapped seniors it the answer. Both federal and provincial governments need to step up to the plate.
Linda Forsythe, Burnaby
