SONIA Furstenau, Leader of the BC Greens, on Monday said that while it was encouraging to see the government take the housing crisis seriously and introduce new legislation, she was concerned about what was missing.

“For instance, there is no mention of non-market housing and there is no protection against Real Estate Investment Trusts, who could now redevelop rental strata housing to increase shareholder profits,” she said.

Furstenau pointed out: “We need to ensure that speculators and investors are not profiting from increased supply. The outcome we must be striving for and measuring is affordable homes for all British Columbians.”

She said: “The source of the housing affordability problem we have today is that housing is treated as a financial asset instead of a human right. This problem has been made worse by a lack of federal and provincial government investment in non-market housing.

“What we need in cities and communities is dedicated housing for renters that is protected from exploitative market conditions. Adding more market housing may improve supply, but it does not guarantee affordability.

“It is disappointing that the details of this legislation will come in through regulation next spring without debate in the House and that consultation with municipalities seems to have been limited.”

Furstenau also noted: “This premier was Minister of Housing for years, and this BC NDP majority government has had two years to introduce these changes. The crisis has deepened while this government continued to tinker around the edges.”