Editor:
To the NIMBYs who are against more housing in their neighbourhoods, it’s not just your neighbourhood.
You bought your homes, raised your families, retired and have made more money than ever thought possible on your homes. You lived the dream that many will never get the chance to. No matter how hard they work, save and try. That will be a dream for so many that will always be a dream if more affordable housing isn't built.
To those who say they have lived in their communities for 30-plus years are against density, against immigrants and people of all backgrounds and monetary situations, need to seriously pause and think about what they are saying. Your outrage makes you sound selfish and entitled.
Edmonds is one of four city centres for the City of a Burnaby, this isn't new news. If you want your communities to thrive, be vibrant and have laughter of children, see young families getting their chance to live the lives you already had, more housing needs to be built.
Many complain they can't find street parking - you aren’t entitled to park in front of your home. The streets are not your property. All houses in Burnaby are required to have a driveway, carport or garage to park their vehicles. This is a city bylaw. If you want the city to continue staying clean, having maintained parks, then property taxes as well as businesses will continue to pave the way for that. If you don't have people paying their property taxes and differing them, which you can at a certain age, where will the extra income come from? Most houses are owned by retired empty-nesters. You have million-dollar homes, can defer your property taxes - you have it all, to be honest.
What about the rest of us? The people still working, trying to get by while working hard, saving and doing everything we were told to do if we wanted to have a home, and a family; why aren't we worth having the dream you already lived? We can't afford children, so many can't afford to buy a place, let alone rent.
I am angry that people who are now living their golden years, many who have come from immigrant families, are dead set opposed to changes in their neighbourhoods.
Change is not always negative. We deserve affordable housing, we deserve our chance to live our lives and not struggle like so many of us are.
My advice to those not wanting density in their backyard, sell your home and go live anywhere else you could possibly want because you're all multimillionaires. More density equals affordable housing, my generation and those younger than me need a helping hand and it's up to you to lend it.
Allison Remy, Burnaby
