Other ways to handle housing needs
Re: Battle lines drawn in Heron Gate, where an evicted community doesn’t plan on leaving, Aug. 15.
Given the increasingly expensive Ottawa rental market, I am saddened by the dilemma faced by Heron Gate residents who are being displaced to allow redevelopment. The situation points to the larger issue of the conflict between private and public interests and the need for government to intervene when a public good is at stake.
Housing poorer families is one of those public goods. In the Regent Park social housing development in Toronto ( built in the early 1950s), there was a need for renewal and updating of infrastructure. The approach there was to intensify development and foster mixed-use residency and land use to lessen the “ghetto-like” atmosphere of housing only the least welloff. There was a stigma to saying you were from Regent Park despite the fact that it provided affordable housing for many. But, despite some of the problems, most people appreciated the neighbourhood and wanted to preserve many aspects of the community. Sounds like Heron Gate.
In Regent Park, however, there was a program of phased reconstruction and the community was extensively consulted on the nature of redevelopment. Piece by piece, alternate local housing was arranged for residents of buildings being demolished. As their buildings were replaced, they had the opportunity to return. As the density of the new development almost doubled and some of the new residential space was to be privately owned, there was space for new residents, and the community became more economically mixed. While the redevelopment is still underway, it provides a possible model for similar community redevelopment, public or private.
In Heron Gate, it does appear that the developer, Timbercreek, has provided some assistance with relocation allowances on top of the 120-day notice, but if many of us consider the family incomes, and the readjustment challenges of new immigrants, finding new accommodation in Ottawa would be seen as very difficult. Consultation, alternate housing and the possibility to return should be features of the transformation of Heron Gate. Government cannot intervene everywhere, but given the special needs of some communities, affordable housing is one area where they should.
Michael Wiggin, Prescott
Consultation, alternate housing and the possibility to return should be features of the transformation of Heron Gate. Government cannot intervene everywhere, but … affordable housing is one area where they should. Michael Wiggin