Home affordability top of mind for voters in Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Port Moody
Posted October 9, 2018 5:00 am.
Last Updated October 19, 2018 9:25 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
TRI-CITIES (NEWS 1130) – The Tri-Cities area is one of the fastest growing regions in Metro Vancouver, with the population going up by over 10 per cent from 2011 to 2016.
With the Evergreen Extension connecting the area to the skytrain system in 2016, the area is expected to continue to grow — make housing, affordability and homelessness top of mind for many in the three cities.
“Housing prices are still quite high out here,” says Michael Hind, CEO of the Tri-Cities Chamber of Commerce. “Prices are still on the higher end, it’s tougher for younger people to get into the game.”
The benchmark price for a detached home in Port Coquitlam is just over $1 million. In Coquitlam, it’s over $1.3 million. In Port Moody, it’s over $1.5 million.
“Most of the cities are addressing that, and it just takes awhile for the housing, the rental stock to come online,” adds Hind.
But in the rush to bring in more affordable housing, some worry the area is developing too fast.
“Some of the people out there want to slow down a little bit, especially since the Evergreen Line came in a couple years ago, so people in Coquitlam and Port Moody are trying to catch up and find out exactly what that means for their business and for their community and for their lifestyle.”
Another issue this election: transit and transportation. About 80 per cent of people in the Tri-Cities use a car to get to work, with an average commute time of about 30 minutes.
“I think there’s a lot of development going on along the line. Transit oriented development is good, but I think some people want to hit the pause button a little bit,” says Hind.
In Port Moody specifically, a potential plan to extend David Avenue through Bert Flinn Park has been controversial.
“Transportation moving forward will be an issue on the roads,” adds Hind.
As for the race itself, Port Coquitlam — like so many other cities in the Lower Mainland — will see a new leader with the departure of Mayor Greg Moore, who’s also been the chair of the Metro Vancouver Board of Directors since 2011.
“Ten years seemed like a good length of time to be the mayor,” says Moore.
“I don’t think someone should be in an elected position — regardless of the level of government — forever and ever. I think I’ve done a good job and now lets hand it over to someone else and see if they can build on some of those successes.”
Four people are looking to replace Moore: Patrick Alambets, Eric Hirvonen — both of whom have unsuccessfully tried to get the mayor’s seat before — Robin Smith, and three-term city councillor Brad West.
“Affordability is a big issue in all of our communities. And in fact, [on Sept. 25] the city council in Port Coquitlam passed a new affordability strategy that included bylaw changes, different types of housing stock, reduced parking to save some of the cost,” says Moore.
His advice for his successor: “Talk to a lot of people. Don’t think that you have all of the answers.”
In Coquitlam, Mayor Richard Stewart is looking for his fourth term as mayor, which he says would be his last. Adel Gamar and Mark Mahovlich are looking to unseat Stewart.
In Port Moody Mayor Mike Clay is looking for a third term. His only challenger is councillor Rob Vagramov.
Voters in Coquitlam are electing one mayor, eight councillors, and four school trustees.
One mayor, six councillors and two school trustees will be chosen in Port Coquitlam.
In Port Moody, one mayor, six councillors and two school trustees will be elected.
