Gentrification is defined as “the buying and renovation of houses and stores in deteriorated urban neighborhoods by upper- or middle-income families or individuals, thus improving property values but often displacing low-income families and small businesses.”
Since 2008, this term has applied to Squamish. We have steadily seen property values climb, retail prices rise and affordability decline, with no change in income earning potential due to limited employment possibilities. The article in the Squamish Chief titled “Squamish tenancy association taking shape” was no surprise to me.
A large majority of homeowners now purchasing in Squamish need to work two jobs to pay the mortgage. Owners choose to rent at high rates and hope they find someone gullible enough to pay their mortgage for them. Ah, the wonders of capitalism!
Let me be clear that Squamish is now a gentrified community. You can clearly see the widening gap between those who have and those who have not. The have-nots seem to be growing every day. You need proof? Have you seen the homeless people around? Have you not seen or heard people enquiring when the food bank opens next?
Signs of gentrification:
• Gyms replaced or new yoga studios opening.
• Purse-sized dogs preferred over normal sized dogs.
• Goodwill stores replaced by vintage-style storefronts.
• Increased presence of dollar stores.
• Mom-and-pop restaurants replaced by trendy restaurants selling the same food, often at a lower quality and quantity.
• Street art replaced by commissioned arts.
• Trendy cocktail bars starting to appear.
• Coffee shops replaced with trendy coffee-like dispensaries.
I know every person who reads this can identify to at least two items on the short list.
Maybe it’s time we visit the $15-per-hour wage like Seattle and few other places have. Seattle went through a huge gentrification change, and now they need bring the wages up so people can live in it. Make the Squamish area a $15-per-hour zone for all businesses. Sorry business owners: Someone has to pay for gentrification.
Businesses must start paying a living wage instead of minimum wage because the real estate market is not going to change, and that means rental prices will not change, no matter how hard you beat your chest. Unless the real estate bubble burst… that’s another ball of wax.
Jason Bechard
Squamish
