Dear Editor:
In October of last year, the George Derby Care Society came forward to city council with a plan to create over 100 units of below market rate housing units for senior citizens.
I strongly urge the municipal government to work quickly in approving this project. The cost of housing has continued to increase in Burnaby and in other cities in the Lower Mainland, and for those on fixed incomes, this has meant that the rising cost of housing has taken up an increasing share of seniors’ retirement savings.
The George Derby lands already have many of the amenities that seniors will require to continue living independently.
This is to be encouraged and applauded, and the guarantee from the developer that the suites will be offered at below market rates is something that should be celebrated, not just for its kindness towards the seniors who use the suites but for reducing demand in the city as a whole.
It is a good first step towards addressing the increasing cost of living in Burnaby, and should be approved immediately.
