Thursday November 20, 2014 (Vol. 39 No. 92)
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Streamlined Santa: Fraser Valley Gilbert & Sullivan’s new, edgy panto version – soon to debut at the Surrey Arts Centre – is far from the traditional image of jolly old St. Nick. i see page 33
S U R R E Y
w w w. p e a c e a r c h n e w s . c o m
Overcrowding and high costs lambasted by housing advocates
‘Crisis’ for White Rock, Surrey renters Jeff Nagel Black Press
Housing advocates say Metro Vancouver renters – including those in White Rock and Surrey – are battling a crisis of affordability, with many paying more than they can afford for a roof over their heads. The B.C. Non-Profit Housing Association has unveiled a new rental-housing index website at www.bcnpha.ca/rhi that includes
an interactive map showing rental data for each community. The index finds Surrey and White Rock are the worst cities in the region for rental overcrowding, followed by Burnaby and Coquitlam. Nearly half of renters in several Metro municipalities are spending more than the maximum recommended 30 per cent of their income on rent and utilities, according to the association’s findings.
And at least one in four renters pays more than half their income to rent in White Rock, Langley City, Richmond, Burnaby, Coquitlam, Vancouver and West Vancouver – cities where rent overspending is flagged as “critical.” Association executive director Tony Roy said the overspending by many rental households puts them at risk of financial crisis. “Many know their rent is too high but feel
like they don’t have a choice but to pay up,” Roy said. “We’re not building more rental housing, so renters are forced to overspend in crowded or deteriorated conditions, or they become homeless.” He argued it’s cheaper to invest in affordable housing now than face higher health and justice costs stemming from homelessness later on. i see page 4
Michael Wachniak photo
Joelle Paleologou photo
Reflections on our pier
Charlie Hwang photo
Michael Wachniak photo
Julia Michel photo
Peace Arch News asked our online readers last week, on the 100th anniversary of the official opening of the White Rock pier – Nov. 14 – to submit photographs taken on that day. We weren’t disappointed. Above is a fittingly picturesque sampling of their efforts, which illustrate unique perspectives of the popular landmark at all hours of the day.
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