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Vernon city council calls out Coldstream on lack of affordable housing

Coldstream called out

Vernon city council is calling out neighbouring Coldstream for not doing enough about affordable housing.

City council is “respectfully requesting” that Coldstream take meaningful steps toward providing more diverse housing types to address affordability gaps in a motion carried Monday.

The motion notes that since 2016, 94% of Coldstream’s housing starts have been single-family detached.

Mayor Victor Cumming says he’s spoken to Coldstream Mayor Jim Garlick about three things the community can do in a short timeframe: streamline carriage house applications, allow basement suites, and approve small townhome projects.

“I hope that Coldstream can understand that this is a regional issue,” said Cumming.

Coun. Kari Gares, who lives in Coldstream, says the housing gaps are going to continue to get larger if nothing is done. There are very limited rental suites in Coldstream, she said.

“We all need to step up to the plate.”

At the end of the day, the decision is Coldstream’s.

“I don’t know how we can force them,” said Coun. Dalvir Nahal.



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