Don’t label homeowners unfairly

Re: “Stopping new development hurts young families,” comment, March 24.

The author writes as if life, family and happiness can happen only in “desirable” neighbourhoods. Does that label the people situated outside of Victoria as unhappy, unlucky or without a future?

I live in Rockland. New families move into this neighbourhood regularly. Residential neighbourhoods with family-friendly housing, including yards, setbacks and human-scale height attract families all the time.

There is no undersupply of condominiums. Construction sites and new, expensive condominiums are everywhere. Prices still soar — $400,000 for a tiny one-bedroom condo in a new development is the norm. The luxury developers help drive prices up.

“White hair elite.” What a harsh and dangerous label for anyone who owns a house in Victoria, who worked hard and long, making personal sacrifices to live in the area the writer insists she is entitled to. Many bought their houses when the discrepancy between wages and a house price was much less, and lived in the neighbourhood for almost 50 years. Should we label them?

We are suffering a crisis of income. The problem is housing affordability, not availability.

My neighbours oppose insensitive developments that contradict the official community plan. Will we resolve the housing problem by building whatever brings the most profit to a developer, by demonizing those residents who are older, or who prefer balanced growth?

Lowering architectural and building standards will destroy Victoria.

I hope the mayor and councillors listen to people of all ages and hair colours to ensure a better future for everyone.

Anna Cal Victoria