City’s future lies in working together

Re Generation YIMBY needs room to grow,

June 24 Far too often we dismiss the need for different segments of Toronto society to find and maintain affordable housing. Forget about buying a home, even at $15 an hour. With the cost of living ever increasing, first-time renters are entering a market that demands annual income earnings that must pay rents that in some cases exceed an astonishing $1,500 a month, for “an old shoebox.”

Recognizing that yes-in-my-backyard (YIMBY) affiliated thinking is the way of the future in a region that ultimately relies on vertical housing is a step in the right direction. To maintain the excess of unaffordable housing for NIMBYminded folks is to deny all segments the ability to address housing issues.

There is only so much space available, and the future is in building up, which means that to successfully cultivate communities that benefit the entire city will take an effort that involves YIMBY and NIMBY segments coming together.

NIMBY folks should realize that their backyard is sooner or later going to be abutted by YIMBY folks.

It certainly wouldn’t hurt matters if both parties recognize that they can work together to sustain social and economic developments in their communities. Troy J. Young, Toronto