Ward 5 ‘heavily burdened’ with social housing: Van Tilborg

City councilors engaged in a debate about social housing on Tuesday.

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But instead of discussing the need for more community or social housing, the debate focused on where it should be located.

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“We do need rent-geared to income, we need affordable (social) housing but it can’t all continue to go into Ward 5,” Coun. Brian Van Tilborg (Ward 5), said.

Van Tilborg said his ward is already heavily-burdened with social housing and has been feeling heavily-burdened for decades.

“It’s time for everyone else to pull their weight,” Van Tilborg said. “A roof over your head and food in your belly is not specific to one ward.

“It (affordable housing) can be done anywhere.”

Van Tilborg made the comments in response to a report – Housing Development Mapping – brought to council for discussion at its Dec. 19 meeting.

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The report, among other things, shows that 959 or 35 per cent of the 2,704 affordable housing units in the community are located in Ward 5. A further 645 are in Ward 1.

Ward 2 had 415 units, Ward 4 has 397 while Ward 3 has 288.

The report was earlier presented to the social services committee at its December meeting and was brought to council to be received as information.

But Coun. Mandy Samwell (Ward 5) introduced an amendment calling for a more balanced approach to the distribution of community (social) housing over the next several years.

“I think it’s important that we work towards a balanced approach to where we’re placing our community housing throughout our wards and neighborhoods,” Samwell said.

But while Coun. Rose Sicoli (Ward 1) agreed with the goal, she couldn’t support something that would “handcuff staff” from moving ahead on affordable housing projects when and where land becomes available.

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“I think that if we have a shortage of affordable housing and we have a need for affordable housing we shouldn’t be putting up red tape that would hinder staff from moving forward,” Sicoli said.

Coun. Greg Martin (Ward 3) said part of the reason there is more social housing in Ward 5 is because it includes the downtown where services are available for people who need them.

“I don’t think it’s appropriate that we direct staff to try and find locations in wards that have little social housing now,” Martin said. “There’s a reason they have little social housing, it’s because they’re not close to the downtown.”

Samwell’s amendment failed by a vote of 4 to 7. Those voting against included Mayor Kevin Davis, councilors John Sless and Gina Caputo (Ward 2), McCreary and Martin, Sicoli and Coun. Michael Sullivan (Ward 1).

Those voting in favor of Samwell’s amendment included Van Tilborg and Ward 4 councilors Linda Hunt and Richard Carpenter.

Councilors then voted unanimously in favor of accepting the report as information.

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