Developers are willing to pay up for affordable housing, but they would rather cut a cheque than put aside units as outlined in the proposed Mixed Income Housing Policy.Squamish Landholders Association (SLA) president Shan Trouton made this position clear when the group joined council for a roundtable discussion on Tuesday (Feb. 26).A decision to approve or reject the original housing policy was been put on hold earlier in the month to facilitate the meeting. What Trouton proposed was a complete upheaval to the policy."We're prepared to be part of the affordable housing program and we're prepared to pay for it," he said. "We don't believe that the program you have in front of you works."We're not sure that the numbers, the way they have them, work either."He said the original policy would have limited scope since it only helped those who were fortunate enough to secure one of the affordable units. If developers benefiting from a rezoning permit offered money rather than units, more people could be helped, he said. He added this money could be put into a fund, then spent as council and a committee assigned to the issue saw fit, potentially toward the creation of purpose-rental buildings or a down-payment program to help people get into homes. Coun. Raj Kahlon said the idea would lead to segregation."I don't want segregation," he said. "What you're suggesting is get the money, build the house somewhere else. I don't want to go there."Trouton said it was up to council to decide how the money was spent, noting that segregation was not necessary. However, SLA member Sam Hanson said mandating affordable units in a new condominium building could cause conflict in the case of building repairs."With integration, you're immediately creating a source of conflict, because you've got two types of people living in that building," he said. "One person can barely afford to be there. If there are any extra costs to maintain that building, or God forbid, there's a flood, and you have to make that contribution, that 10 per cent can't afford to do it and now there's a conflict."Coun. Jeff McKenzie said he wanted seniors housing and social housing for families rather than a pool of affordable units assigned to select qualified residents."I just can't see going to my constituents and saying "We're going to have a lottery and give people equity.'" Coun. Greg Gardner said the ideas would be taken into account when council looks at the housing policy at an upcoming council meeting.
