Housing task force doesn’t include renters: Stop Demovictions Burnaby

BURNABY (NEWS 1130) – A group of renters and their supporters in Burnaby are blasting Mayor Mike Hurley for not including more residents in a housing task force meant to address the so-called “demovictions” in the Metrotown area.

Emily Luba with Stop Demovictions Burnaby says the task force is made up of everyone but those affected.

“The list of the housing task force did come out and it’s over half of developers, city councillors, and some representatives of organizations, representatives of unions and non-profits, but we are just wondering where are the spots for people who are being evicted?” she says.

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Luba adds the process to get into the task force was also not very clear, making it difficult for those interested to voice their opinions to join.

“What about the people, why are we not being included on this task force and why is it designed the way that people with a lot of power are prioritized?” Luba says.

“Solutions for housing are not being proposed by people who are looking for housing, who’ve been advocating for housing.”

The group will be holding a news conference at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, demanding to know why the developer-heavy task force doesn’t include more neighbourhood voices.

But the issue is not a Burnaby-only problem Luba says, noting that renters across Metro Vancouver are having to deal with demovictions.

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“It really is connected, you live in Metrotown, you’re being evicted because a condo is being built; maybe you move to Coquitlam, the same thing happening; maybe you move to Brentwood, towers are going up there; move out to Surrey, same thing happening, we can’t really separate. Everybody who’s a renter is impacted.”

We’ve reached out to the mayor’s office for comment, but he is not being made available today.

-With files from Sonia Aslam