Thread by @JeanSwanson_

1/ Quick thoughts on City's Housing Strategy, presented at Council this morning. (Only had 4 days to read report & 5 min to speak so could only cover the basics.) #vanpoli

2/ Delighted City picked up on our idea of a #MansionTax which you call “applying differential property tax rates on residential properties." This is a fabulous way to get money for housing! #vanpoli

3/ City report says to strengthen rent control by tying rent increases in SROs to the room, not the tenant. Why o why not call for that same protection for tenants in the West End, Grandview, Mt. Pleasant, Fairview, Hastings Sunrise, Marpole..the whole city?? #vanpoli

4/ The City needs to push the BC govt hard for a #RentFreeze and for rent control tied to the unit not the tenant. This is crucial to stopping renovictions & spiralling rents. #vanpoli #bcpoli

5/ A housing strategy that doesn’t end homelessness is not a good strategy. “Addressing the needs of the homeless population” isn't good enough. You could build a modular housing unit for every homeless person in Vancouver with just one year’s worth of the #MansionTax
#vanpoli

6/ When you upzone w/o strong rent control & so that 80% of the units can be at high rents, existing low rent buildings get demolished & you gentrify surrounding neighbourhoods - pushing up rents & pushing low income people out. #vanpoli

7/ We need priority on new public and social housing. And we need strong tenant protection BEFORE upzoning. More reason to push the province for rent control on the unit, not the tenant. #vanpoli

8/ Good to see plans to fund or support SRO Collaborative & Vancouver Tenants Union. City needs to Strengthen the Tenant Relocation Plan so there are no evictions for renos unless the tenant has the right to return at same rent. #vanpoli

9/ How much will the 12,000 needed units of non market housing for low income people cost? Who will provide the money? This is crucial info. City needs to raise more money for social housing & so #MansionTax is key. #bcpoli #vanpoli

10/10 This new Housing Strategy is still too little - and FAR too late. Vision has been in power nearly a decade. Reality is they favoured their funders over needs of people of Vancouver. Let's keep fighting for the political revolution we need. #vanpoli