Whitehorse Daily Star

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Mayor Dan Curtis

Mayor raps government over housing cancellation

Two resolutions adopted by the Association of Yukon Communities (AYC)

By Stephanie Waddell on September 23, 2014

Two resolutions adopted by the Association of Yukon Communities (AYC) won’t make any difference when it comes to improving affordable housing available in the city or around the territory for that matter, says Mayor Dan Curtis.

At Monday evening’s city council meeting, Curtis and other council members expressed their disappointment with the Yukon government’s cancellation of affordable housing projects that would have fallen under the Northern Housing Trust and what has been argued as a lack of movement forward on the issue.

The Yukon government announced in June it would not move ahead with affordable housing projects that had come forward through a request for proposals (RFP). Plans would have seen 75 affordable housing units built in Whitehorse.

The cancellation announcement was made after the government came under criticism from the local realtors and landlords associations for the project, which would have subsidized the building of the affordable housing units.

The government’s decision to kill off the initiative was then met with criticism by a number of others, including municipal governments, community groups and developers who had taken the time and expense to come up with proposals for the Yukon Housing Corp.

The AYC was among the most recent to take issue with it, adopting the two resolutions at its board meeting in Faro over the weekend.

As Coun. John Streicker reported last night, the two resolutions deal with Whitehorse and all municipal governments in the Yukon.

“The Association of Yukon Communities encourages the Yukon government to work with the City of Whitehorse as a matter of urgency with the intention of resurrecting the recently abandoned Northern Housing Trust affordable rental housing initiative, bringing much needed housing to Whitehorse,” Streicker said in reading one of the resolutions before going on to the next.

“AYC encourages Yukon government to meet with all municipalities as a matter of urgency with the intention of crafting achievable solutions for every community’s housing needs.”

Both resolutions were adopted unanimously, Coun. Betty Irwin pointed out.

“This is an issue that affects all communities,” she said after Curtis expressed his disappointment at the government’s reaction.

As he noted, after passing the resolutions, municipal leaders “were given the reality this process that’s been transparent to this point is no longer transparent and the minister (Brad Cathers), or (Yukon Party) caucus, has made up their mind to what projects that money will go to and that basically our resolutions are moot; they’re just the paper they’re written on.

“It was exciting to see unanimous support throughout the Yukon and the support we’ve received from the Whitehorse Chamber of Commerce and a lot of (the) business community and citizens.”

Efforts were made to stress the importance of the projects to Cathers, the minister responsible for the housing corporation, Curtis said.

“Ultimately, the entire Yukon was told that decisions have been made and that they won’t be discussed or we’re not really privy to these projects however they may go forward,” the mayor said.

Affordable rental housing is a major issue throughout the territory, Curtis stressed.

“Unfortunately, the political decision was made that we don’t have a problem, and we don’t agree with that,” he said.

The government’s position makes the resolutions essentially just “something to hang up on the wall,” Curtis said.

The resolutions are “beautiful,” but unfortunately, there won’t be anything to come of them, he said.

In a subsequent interview, the mayor noted the business community “is not letting up” on the issue, and continues to point out it’s difficult for businesses to attract staff north because of the high cost of housing.

Curtis also pointed to statistics showing the cost of housing of all types is rising.

One such figure shows to sustain a mortgage and living expenses, most households need 2.1 jobs.

Housing remains an issue throughout the territory, Curtis noted.

But with 70 per cent of the territory’s population living in Whitehorse, he added, the shortage is perhaps more pronounced in the capital, thereby resulting in the two resolutions – one dealing specifically with Whitehorse, the other with municipalities throughout the territory.

“I think ‘disappointment’ is an understatement,” the mayor said of his reaction to the housing initiative’s abrupt cancellation.

Cathers did not respond to interview requests from the Star this morning.

Comments (29)

Up 1 Down 9

bobbybitman on Oct 3, 2014 at 4:11 pm

And Mandeep, just to remind you of what your original argument was, here it is in your own words, "The assessments are YG driven (if I'm not mistaken) which causes property values to go up. If someone says your car is worth 10k why would you sell it for anything less?"

Up 1 Down 9

bobbybitman on Oct 3, 2014 at 4:07 pm

And furthermore Mandeep, "I'm speaking to the problem. You're speaking about yourself." - What did you mean by this comment?
How am I speaking about myself? I had not mentioned myself at all, not once, when you posted this. I am talking about property assessments and housing prices. Not sure what you are 'hearing'.

Up 2 Down 8

bobbybitman on Oct 3, 2014 at 4:03 pm

Mandeep: If the City of Whitehorse tax assessment process determines the price of housing, why are houses assessed at $132,000 selling for $300,000?

It is not an 'attack' when a person points out that you are blatantly WRONG. It does not make me a troll when I respond to your own repeated posts. The only question in my mind is if you simply cannot admit you are wrong, or if you are honestly having a difficult time understanding the role of property assessments, and how carrying costs affect the price people can and will pay for housing and thereby affect housing prices.

Rising property taxes put downward pressure on housing prices. If there is a house assessed at $140,000 and thereby taxed $1400 a year (mill rate = .01), and next door is another identicle house assessed at $300,000 and thereby taxed at $3,000 a year, all things being equal a purchaser will pay MORE money for the house that is ASSESSED lower. The person with the HIGHER assessment will have to DROP their price in order to compete. In this way, higher assessments LOWER the price of housing, but raise the cost of housing.

Your pronouncement that a person will charge MORE money if their assessment is higher is completely bogus. Period.
Sorry for the 'all caps', but I am trying to make it easier for you to understand this relationship. And yes, I do know what I am talking about. I took micro and macro economics at University, and have extensive experience in the real estate market.

Up 6 Down 2

Mandeep on Oct 3, 2014 at 1:45 pm

Let them be there for the world to see.
Duck and dodge? Let's keep it simple. The issue is about affordable housing. Both of my original posts speak to this and offer possible solutions. The example given is synonymous with yours. I made the fallacy easier for you to see. I'm speaking to the problem. You're speaking about yourself.

The truth is assessments do have an effect
here is what you said;
"You really do think that the city of Whitehorse affects housing sale prices through their assessment process"
the answer is Yes.
Clear cut and final.

Everything else you're writing is just a distraction.
So this is what I say and I'll make it clear
Assessments have an effect on the value of homes and do have an effect on affordable housing.
If you wish to respond. Respond to that statement. Otherwise you're just a troll.
Also if you wish to attack. Please use your real name.

Up 2 Down 4

Liberals Support major tax increases on Oct 2, 2014 at 9:50 pm

Liberals have always liked tax increases and want to slow down or destroy the Yukon and Canadian economy. They would like to take away the middle class and create more poor in Canada because of their misguided views of how Canada really works economically and on the world stage.
History has shown that the NDP will just stop the operation of the Yukon and Canadian economy by stopping progress to create wealth so taxes can be paid at a reasonable amount to support our life style and our social programs.
The truth is liberals and NDP will suck the life blood out of our society and will not innovative movement of our society to be better in the future. Life is about a continuous building of our future for the good of all. Not regressive actions that will kill our society into no mans land until we figure out the truth.
I have spent many years studying society and world success and it is built on one thing; the majority of what people want for society. We just had a liberal leader who has a very historic name call Canadians Arm Forces a big F18 fighter jet going after the world. Get a life MR T. you are not your father and don't support Canada and their part in the world. Did you Mr T have any of your family die fighting for freedom for the world and against the discusting actions taking place in the world against people who cannot defend themselves?
How many Yukoner's went to the second world war and died in the protection of the world and Yukon? Liberal candidates, especially you Larry, stand up like other liberals have done on TV and state you do not support this type of attitude from a liberal leader. You did not stand up for the Yukon on the gun registrar that is why you lost. Yukon people do not support any liberal actions because they have no interest in you but their own beliefs which are not the Yukon peoples belief.

Up 4 Down 7

bobbybitman on Oct 2, 2014 at 5:10 pm

"Your example is
a) my cabin by the lake with one acre is assessed at $50,000.00 but I wouldn't sell it for less than a million
while
b) my home in a vinyl village is assessed at $500,000.00 and that's the value I would sell it at." -- Mandeep

That was not at all what my example was and it's too bad you had such a hard time comprehending my example. Let's try again. Here is what I said,
"my latest assessment tells me that my lot is worth $65,200 and the house on it is worth $72,200. Total: $137,400. I can tell you that I would not sell this property for twice that price.
Assessments in Whitehorse are not meant to be accurate portrayals of market value. They are used comparatively to determine how much tax each property owner will pay."

Do you see the difference, Mandeep? If you do not, I am sorry, I can't help you. Go take it up with an economics instructor. I don't have time and I think I lobbed some pretty easy concepts your way and cannot actually see how I could break it down to make it simpler for you. Methinks you have a problem with 'being wrong'.

Reframing the issue toward YG/COW setting lot values is a nice try at a duck and dodge though. Unfortunately for you, your original words that I am responding to are permanently here in writing.

Up 5 Down 8

bobbybitman on Oct 2, 2014 at 5:01 pm

"Property assessments are not physically carried out. The Yukon Government raises the value of property by a certain percentage. This is what creates inflated/artificial values."

No Mandeep. The government picking up a pencil and changing the assessed value upwards for tax purposes does not increase the market value of a home. If anything, the resulting increase in taxes would decrease the market value because the higher taxes increase carrying costs, in the same way that an increase in mortgage rates would tend to decrease market values (if any effect were experienced.)

You know the old saying about when you are in a hole, stop digging? This would be one of those times.

Up 10 Down 4

Mandeep on Oct 2, 2014 at 12:56 pm

Bobby Bitman,
Explain this to me again...

So somehow assessing the new properties (eg. Whistle Bend) at an exaggerated price doesn't have an effect on the market and doesn't change value?
Assessments are a huge part of value and set the stage for homes entering the market.

Your example is
a) my cabin by the lake with one acre is assessed at $50,000.00 but I wouldn't sell it for less than a million
while
b) my home in a vinyl village is assessed at $500,000.00 and that's the value I would sell it at.

Yet the materials in both homes are the exact same.
Assessments have an effect on value. It's that simple.
Some are high, some are low... and then there is your own opinion of worth. None of which addresses the simple point that I mentioned... affordable housing has a ton to do with the way YG/COW assesses properties/lots they are putting up for sale.
But you seem to disagree.

Up 10 Down 1

Dee on Oct 1, 2014 at 7:27 pm

The prices, Yukon people, are a direct result of the economy, once the mining busts, Yukoners can go back to the way it should be...... but that won't happen since the government is pushing to develop the north - oil and gas..... Who cares about the environment or the true way of Yukon life, right?
Ask yourselves, why did all of you people move to the Yukon? Did you move there to get rich or did you move there because it's still natural and you don't have to share your peace of mind with millions of other people? Think about why you moved to the Yukon when you cast your next ballot!

Up 10 Down 0

Tax increase in budget short fall of over $3 million on Oct 1, 2014 at 3:31 pm

Has anyone looked at the new online budget survey that the city of Whitehorse is doing? The Mayor and council are talking about 12.26% increase in taxes. We will not have to consider purchasing a house because you will not be able to pay the taxes. The Mayor is talking about affordable housing when he is talking about 12.26% tax increase because of a short fall in the budget. Time to recall this Mayor and Council.

Up 7 Down 5

bobbybitman on Sep 30, 2014 at 6:38 pm

Mandeep, I tried to throw you a bone but you really do think that the city of whitehorse affects housing sale prices through their assessment process. You said 'why would anyone sell for less than someone told them it is worth?'

Well, my latest assessment tells me that my lot is worth $65,200 and the house on it is worth $72,200. Total: $137,400. I can tell you that I would not sell this property for twice that price.

Assessments in Whitehorse are not meant to be accurate portrayals of market value. They are used comparatively to determine how much tax each property owner will pay. That's it. You should read up on it before talking authoritatively on the subject.

Up 7 Down 5

Mandeep Sidhu on Sep 29, 2014 at 2:04 pm

B Bitman:
The assessments are YG driven (if i'm not mistaken) which causes property values to go up. If someone says your car is worth 10k why would you sell it for anything less?

My idea is still the same. Sell off the YG houses at 50% of their current value. Then let YG buy the condo's and new housing. Charge regular rent and attempt to run it as a "0" profit renting corp.

The homes that they sell at 50% loss should go to families that qualify. Those families would still have to pay tax which would lead to an eventual payoff.

There are benefits to this:
1 - Professionals get new accommodations which would encourage them to stay in the area.
2 - More affordable housing is made available.
3- Those new places that the average person can't afford or doesn't want to buy are taken off the market.
4 - Increases the YG budget
5 - People in need of a home that can't afford a new condo (or don't want one) now have the option of "older" homes.
6 - Professionals that can afford to pay the rent of a high priced condo will be given the opportunity to Instead of giving out huge wages and subsidizing everything why not make them live within their budget.

An example of this that works is the RCMP homes in Watson Lake. They built brand new homes for the RCMP, then boarded up the old homes. Those could be sold back to the public at a loss but YG refuses to. The population comes second to the government. Proven time and time again.

Compare the cleanliness/quality/professionalism of each of the government groups. You'll see what they cater to.

On an aside: If you ever want to see Ryan Leef sit with an open mouth; ask for a narrow scope independent audit of each YG department. Similar to what was done to Theresa Spence and Attawatapisikat.

Shaking in their boots...

Up 3 Down 2

martin oreste on Sep 28, 2014 at 6:01 pm

COW's high demand for subdivision development has created high price lots, which only YTG salaries can buy. Design a subdivision with cheaper, smaller lots and someone will build affordable homes.
I also believe that most people here are classists; we don't want anything close to a "housing project" or lower class neighborhood

Up 6 Down 7

Salar on Sep 28, 2014 at 11:35 am

Creating classes of people.......the Yukon Party rode the wave of mineral prices and fictional continued exploration work....they did nothing to create the economy......they are on the way out which has been the reality in politics .......everywhere.....which is economic factors improve or diminish fate.....your Tims example is too singular

Up 6 Down 2

bobbybitman on Sep 28, 2014 at 10:52 am

Mandeep Sidhu, you said, "The Yukon Government raises the value of property by a certain percentage. This is what creates inflated/artificial values."

Are you suggesting that the COW is increasing the price of housing by increasing assessments? Higher taxes would if anything decrease the sale price of a home. Just as higher mortgage rates tend to decrease selling prices. This is due to the fact that carrying costs go up.

If what you mean is that the carrying cost of housing goes up (not the price of a house) every time the city increases taxes you are absolutely correct. You are also correct in suggesting that this practise is absolutely indefensible and puts upward pressure on rents, and makes housing less affordable.

Higher price tags on housing in Whitehorse should not be used as an excuse for the COW to charge more in taxes. The COW's costs do not go up when housing prices go up, and neither should our taxes!

If Dan Curtis and the rest of city council want to do something about housing costs in Whitehorse, stop putting property taxes up through the bogus 're-assessment' process.

Up 7 Down 1

Creating classes of people on Sep 27, 2014 at 10:27 am

People do not want to be labelled into different classes of people like COW Mayor has done. He should state he is sorry to all that can't afford a home because this shows a lack of respect. The liberals and the NDP want to keep labeling people and creating different classes of people which is disgusting. People get sick because they work hard and make changes and build things like Ron Joyce did with Tim Horton's. It was Tim Horton's dream but when he died Ron made it become real. Tim's value is $8.9 billion dollars.
I know Ron, he started out with his father dying when he was 12 so it made life a challenge. So if the NDP and Liberals like labeling people calling down the rich why don't they go out and start private sector businesses to create wealth for the poor as they like to label people. As soon as a conservative government cleans up government, in comes the liberals putting the country back in the drink. Accept for Paul Martin, he was a liberal with conservative actions same as Frank M. in NB. That's what the liberals and NDP did in the Yukon when they were in power. Yukon Party got the economy going and created a better standard of living. Canada and the Yukon is very open and spends great amounts of money on social programs. Where do you think the wealth comes to pay for these programs like health care. I watched fracking committee presentations on Thursday, what a show by the NDP. They tried to make it sound like the world is falling in if fracking went ahead.

Up 4 Down 1

bobbybitman on Sep 26, 2014 at 9:51 pm

Hey, maybe I am wrong but I seriously did think Dan was bankrolled by the Yukon Party. People were angry that a territorial level political party had run a candidate and a campaign for Whitehorse's mayor. If someone knows different, feel free to correct me. Thumbs down does not really explain anything. If it was the Liberals that did this, I'd be interested in hearing that. There was a poster asking who was bankrolling Dan Curtis's campaign, and then comments about him and the liberal party, so I thought I would wade in with what I heard. I do think it is very important to know these things, if these type of games are being played by our territorial parties. The Mayor of Whitehorse should not be a branch plant of a territorial party. Or should come out and tell everyone that's what he/she is.

Up 6 Down 2

Josey Wales on Sep 26, 2014 at 6:48 pm

Mandeep That was a great post. Please give us your feedback on issues as this, I for one quite enjoyed it.

Up 10 Down 5

Mandeep Sidhu on Sep 26, 2014 at 1:35 pm

Not to say I told you so... but
These were the issues we talked about during the election
1) Housing is a Territorial issue and not something the City should be dealing with. The discussion at the City level is useless and it takes responsibility and accountability away from YG. Don't bother the mayor and council ... go after YG. The Mayor and council should be doing the same. A consultation meeting is basically, “I’ll listen if you have good ideas but there is no requirement I take any of them (see Peel for reference or BCSTV).”
2) The increasing of property tax + assessments has a direct effect on property value. Somehow assessments have increased linearly over the past 10 years. Property assessments are not physically carried out. The Yukon Government raises the value of property by a certain percentage. This is what creates inflated/artificial values. Assessments/property values need to decline.
3) What does affordable housing mean?
a) Government subsidized housing for nurses/doctors/teachers/police (who have the money to afford a home)?
b) Renters who are entering the housing market?
c) First time home owners living off a month to month wage?
d) People moving to the Yukon that are not government?
e) Dregs of society?
Define the problem first.
Significant Problems with our current housing are:
1) We subsidize homes for professionals that can afford to pay for homes
2) Yukon Demographics: 40% of people are employed by government - 35% are on social welfare/social assistance - 25% are private sector (stats were given to me by a Liberal nominee). Wages of government range from $20 - $49 (COW)... YG is higher. When a developer looks at the Yukon they take into account the money that is available in the area and they cater to those people. (Why would you cater to the working poor? That’s the government’s job. No one wants to do it because there is no money in it).
The modern housing being developed (I wouldn’t say built) is ... I've heard the terms: bird houses/cardboard/shared wall sh!t holes/small lot sand traps/ or the term employed by a member of council (The Whistle Bend sinkhole) brings a host of properties online thus “lowering” the value by creating more competition; however, the values are so high no one can compete!
Would you like lot a) $250,000 or lot
b) $250,001.00 (we’ll negotiate on the dollar).
So to keep it simple;
1) We don't know what affordable housing is or who we're talking about (no consensus on this)
2) The majority of our housing is developed not built; Simpson's monorail style (This is what modern/hip/youthful/open/vibrant/cities need! Haven't you been to Vancouver?!)
3) The market is inflated because of more places being available but at arbitrary values (thanks for hiking our assessments again!)
4) An uneducated populace (government + citizens) listening and catering to ideas from outside versus finding solutions at home.
Things to help:
Step 1) Slum lord cleanup program... a novel idea but the drug/alcohol problems (weird how that ties into every Yukon discussion), lead into a discussion that most won’t delve. The depths are disgusting.
Step 2) Incentives for infill and removal of dilapidation i.e. clean up old areas and allow development at fixed rates. (Ton of problems here).
Step 3) Gentrification with controls. Gov usually fails here.
Step 4) Free up money and sell at a loss!
Clean up deficiencies in gov. Free up money. Re allocate and voila! This territory will run entire projects at a guaranteed loss of 50% until the end of time. But you won’t build homes and sell them for a 50% loss with an eventual payoff through property tax. Too obvious.
/rant

All of the other comments sound good

Up 10 Down 3

bobbybitman on Sep 26, 2014 at 9:57 am

What's with the comment about Dan Curtis being a liberal? I thought his campaign for mayor was bank rolled by the Yukon Party.

Up 13 Down 10

The Mayor Raps Government over housing cancellation on Sep 25, 2014 at 10:03 am

Interesting title to this piece "RAPS". What would be better than anyone but Dan Curtis for Mayor because that will be the new signs going up around town.
From the comments to this piece, the Mayor is in trouble with his raps of the Yukon Government on housing cancellation. Myself and ten people I was talking to last night indicated they all voted for Mr. Curtis but not again. The reason is he is using his mayor's position in by-parson manner for only one purpose is to support the liberals.
There was lots of people that did not want him in power as a liberal in the 2011 Yukon election but supported him to get into the majors chair including NDP and Yukon Party members.
If you can't bring forth an alternative to the housing needs of the people don't talk at all. It does not help the people who need housing but adds more frustration to the issue. According to what I was told, they find this type of comment hurtful and not helping. Four of these people are in the need for housing. Mr. Curtis you have just lost the support of a lot of people and hurt the new liberal brand that Sandy Silver is trying to build. Stop trying to destroy the liberal brand because you are not helping. Also what did Yukon build in Riverdale 24 units. The Yukon Government has spent over 100 million dollars on housing and like any government trying to get it right on how and what the people need in housing. Go back to the drawing boards MR Mayor and think again.

Up 9 Down 13

There is not such thing as affordable or social housing on Sep 24, 2014 at 2:15 pm

Stop labeling the types of housing available to people who do not have the means to purchase a house. We need to place the remaining money into entry level housing. Use the Co-[op housing model that has worked for years when it gets difficult to obtain a house. It is simple. Yukon Housing can start a registrar of people who want to build a house and when there is ten people you form a co-op and Yukon housing supplies a project manager to mange the construction. The benefit of the co-op are group buying power on materials. Group contract prices. In Nova Scotia they used to be able to build a home through a co-op program and save any where from 11 to 20% on the cost of a house. This is your down payment and equity. The type of houses under this program will be smaller but effective living.
The Yukon Housing can use the money as mortgage money. Once the owners of the houses are able to get a mortgage from a bank then they take the bank loan and pay back Yukon Housing. The money continues to be reused to help people that can't get into home ownership. If an individual cannot get loan through a bank they should come to this program. Alberta has done this for years and it worked well.
It is so easy to criticize after the fact. Where was the ideas when the Yukon Government asked the people of the Yukon how they wanted this money invested. Where was the criticism of the proposals when they first came out. Hind site is so great and easy to do. The mayor of Whitehorse is using his position to make political points for his liberal counter parts and nothing else. The Mayor is showing that the liberals will put their political interests before the interest of the people of the Yukon. The money is still there and where is the mayor and liberals alternative on how to invest the funds today, last month or years ago when the fund was made available in a red hot housing market. At least the Yukon Government cancelled the program. It sounds like the Mayor wanted to go ahead with the program the Yukon Government brought out instead of cancelling it! You can't have it both ways.
I understand there is builder in Whitehorse when they build you a house they will build in a rental suite. Maybe this could be an idea for lower income people. Build houses and have rental suites in them to support the cost of paying the mortgage. Get out of the political BS and get on with how to solve the problem.
Land development should not be done by government but the private sector. Why don't the City look at what the cost of land development is and ask some of the local engineering companies that have been in the Yukon for a long time how to lower the cost of land development. The cost of land development is not real in the Yukon. Land costs is the single major issue why people can't purchase a home. Mayor, how long have you been in power and you don't understand the cost structure in housing and have done nothing to address it but blame the Yukon Government. I supported you in the last mayor election but the never again.

Up 18 Down 0

melba on Sep 24, 2014 at 1:42 pm

To the first poster 'Jason', every landlord I have talked to would love to see housing built for people who they cannot serve. That being people who cannot afford market rents, people with addictions problems, bad references, and/or mental illness. These are the people who can't find housing, and who are a big risk to rent to. If a private person is going to rent to them there does admittedly have to be an incentive.

No landlords want to see a few big developers get millions of dollars of free money in order to build private rental housing for renters who do not need subsidized housing. Which was the case with this plan.

Up 23 Down 0

Mike Smith on Sep 24, 2014 at 11:56 am

I agree with you Bobby, you make a clear argument!

Mayor and council seldom look very closely when the city's money or GY funding is involved. The fed money should not be used to make a few people rich. The Mayor should not give away city taxpayers money as well.

Lets address the housing situation in a manner that benefits people in need that is cost effective.

Up 17 Down 3

bobbybitman on Sep 24, 2014 at 11:31 am

Math quickie to support my previous comment:
'Affordable' Bachelor/one bedroom apartment, market rate: $1000
Project rent controlled rate: $900
Savings to renter: $100 a month = $1200 per year x 75 = $90,000 per year
x 10 years = $900,000 in savings to the renter

Cost of this $900,000 in savings to the renter: $10 million dollars.

Not a brilliant use of the money.

Up 18 Down 3

bobbybitman on Sep 24, 2014 at 11:28 am

Furthermore, can we stop pretending that the ten million dollar plus give-away that was the 'housing initiative', was going to result in affordable housing for people who need affordable housing? Almost every one of those 75 units was going to be a bachelor or a one bedroom, to be rented out to whomever the builder/owner chose, for rents that were 5 or 10% below median rent (can't remember which). After 10 years, there were no conditions whatsoever. Someone else did the math and it turned into the government giving away 10x the money to those lucky three guys, that they would have given had they simply given those 75 renters a 10% rent subsidy for 10 years. That plan was a rotten egg.

Up 19 Down 1

bobbybitman on Sep 24, 2014 at 11:24 am

If the mayor is serious about affordable housing, why are lots being sold by the city for $150,000 and more, when they were $50,000 twenty years ago? Inflation would suggest they should be approximately $90,000 now.

Also, if the mayor and council are so concerned, why do they continually pass more and more stringent and expensive building codes in Whitehorse? Which have added tens of thousands of dollars to the cost of building a new home?

Mayor speaketh with forked tongue.

Up 17 Down 0

Mike Smith on Sep 23, 2014 at 6:48 pm

Affordable rental housing is a major issue throughout the territory, Curtis stressed.
“Unfortunately, the political decision was made that we don’t have a problem, and we don’t agree with that,” he said.

I agree with mayor Curtis. However, the canceled projects are a large give away to a few individuals and it makes sense to maintain government control and not gives millions of dollars away to a few developers. Let Yukon Housing run with it and try and benefit low income people as well as middle income earners.

Also, in such a small town the mayor should come clean and show us who supported his campaign financially. No judgement, it would be something we may or may not take issue with.

Up 16 Down 13

Jason on Sep 23, 2014 at 5:50 pm

The only reason the realtors and landlord association are in a big stink about it is because they bought a whole bunch of houses that they are sitting on and aren't moving and they don't want to lose their profit. As well as some of the government uppers. They need these units real bad and they aren't building them because it'll cut their profits. Can't have that. We all have to suffer to make sure they get their big pay checks.

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