Friday, October 13, 2006
Van Island REALTORS say BC housing strategy a good start
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 4, 2006
NANAIMO, BC - The Vancouver Island Real Estate Board (VIREB) says the new BC housing strategy announced Tuesday is a "favorable first step".
"It targets those people most in need and that's a good start," says VIREB President Darrell Paysen.
"This follows up the messages BC REALTORS en masse delivered to Victoria last spring during the annual GL Days event. In meetings with MLAs, cabinet ministers, the Premier and Leader of the Opposition, we told them the province remains the least affordable region in Canada to purchase a home," he says.
"We reminded government that housing is the foundation of a solid economy, and that REALTORS are committed to working on access to affordable housing and rental accommodation to help people get ahead and communities to grow."
BC REALTORS started calling for a housing strategy in 2004.
The new announcement contains a mix of new spending, proven programs and some unique approaches that could assist as many as 15,000 low-income families and individuals.
Paysen adds: "This new announcement fits in nicely with the 'Quality of Life' program at the Vancouver Island Real Estate Board that puts a priority on supporting housing opportunities for all in our community.
"We believe housing and all related programs are a huge priority in BC. Government responsibilities are currently split between several Ministries and we'd like to see all housing responsibilities fall under one Minister," Paysen says.
"We look forward to further announcements that address BC's broad housing needs."
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REALTOR is a trademark identifying real estate professionals who are members of the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA). REALTORS subscribe to a Code of Ethics and Standards of Business Practices as set out by CREA. MLS is a cooperative marketing system used by Canada's real estate boards.
For more information, please contact:
Darrell Paysen, President, 250-748-5000
Drew Harris, Communications, 250-390-4212
October 4, 2006
NANAIMO, BC - The Vancouver Island Real Estate Board (VIREB) says the new BC housing strategy announced Tuesday is a "favorable first step".
"It targets those people most in need and that's a good start," says VIREB President Darrell Paysen.
"This follows up the messages BC REALTORS en masse delivered to Victoria last spring during the annual GL Days event. In meetings with MLAs, cabinet ministers, the Premier and Leader of the Opposition, we told them the province remains the least affordable region in Canada to purchase a home," he says.
"We reminded government that housing is the foundation of a solid economy, and that REALTORS are committed to working on access to affordable housing and rental accommodation to help people get ahead and communities to grow."
BC REALTORS started calling for a housing strategy in 2004.
The new announcement contains a mix of new spending, proven programs and some unique approaches that could assist as many as 15,000 low-income families and individuals.
Paysen adds: "This new announcement fits in nicely with the 'Quality of Life' program at the Vancouver Island Real Estate Board that puts a priority on supporting housing opportunities for all in our community.
"We believe housing and all related programs are a huge priority in BC. Government responsibilities are currently split between several Ministries and we'd like to see all housing responsibilities fall under one Minister," Paysen says.
"We look forward to further announcements that address BC's broad housing needs."
- 30 -
REALTOR is a trademark identifying real estate professionals who are members of the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA). REALTORS subscribe to a Code of Ethics and Standards of Business Practices as set out by CREA. MLS is a cooperative marketing system used by Canada's real estate boards.
For more information, please contact:
Darrell Paysen, President, 250-748-5000
Drew Harris, Communications, 250-390-4212
