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Taxpayers asked to help with development

A clear definition of affordable must be provided to help with question

Editor, The Record:

The recent question of the week, "Should council waive DCCs [development cost charges] on municipal projects" is timely given the subject of last week's council meeting.

An interesting delegation by the Mission Association for Seniors Housing, and a time limited lease advocate appeared asking for financial help from the taxpayer, again, as apparently the previous council already subsidized this so-called "affordable" seniors' housing project by waiving the amenity contribution/fee. Can anyone define the word "affordable?"

After some revealing concerns from councillors, the delegation admitted it wasn't low income seniors they were targeting to buy into this project but rather, a well-established middle class.

On the surface it looks like the not-so-well-off low-income seniors' who could never afford to buy into this project are subsidizing those who can. Is this a concept taxpayers want to embrace?

I expect this council (unlike the previous one) to examine this proposal and act in the interests of all taxpayers.

T.B. Mortimer

Mission