City of Vancouver holding global summit on housing affordability

The City of Vancouver is inviting Millennials to share their stories of the rental and real estate market here, ahead of a global summit on housing affordability this week.

The summit is part of re:address: Global Discussions on Housing Affordability, a week of City events running from Monday, October 24 to Saturday, October 29.

It is Vancouver’s first international housing conference, aimed at fostering innovation and collaboration between the world’s housing leaders to address affordability.

Among the week’s events is a chance for young people to make their voices heard and tell the City what they think about the housing crisis in Vancouver.

The Millennial Activate interactive session, which takes place on Tuesday, aims to allow millennials to share their stories and influence the City’s housing policy.

Meanwhile, for a more entertaining night out, you might prefer to go along to The Sublime and Ridiculous show on Thursday night.

Local and international delegates will give visual presentations of the crazy housing phenomena springing up around the world right now.

The show will be given in “PechaKucha” style – presentations will be short and sweet, with slides being shown and explained fairly briefly.

‘Bold’ housing decisions

Some 500 delegates from around the world are expected to descend on Vancouver to take part in the various re:address events.

The summit itself, which will take place on Thursday, will include representatives from New York, Sydney, Toronto, and Vienna, as well as the UK and New Zealand.

In a release, Mayor Gregor Robertson said the City is preparing to make “bold” housing policy decisions to try to make Vancouver more affordable.

“Vancouver, like many other cities around the world, is facing an unprecedented affordability crisis,” said Robertson.

“The re:address summit is an opportunity to learn, share best practices, and explore creative solutions from other cities struggling with the same affordability challenges we are.”

Gregor Robertson speaking about the empty homes tax outside Vancouver City Hall (Jenni Sheppard/Daily Hive)

Also participating will be Generation Squeeze, a Canadian lobby group campaigning to give a voice to Millennials struggling to make ends meet.

Generation Squeeze campaigners recently met with Robertson to share their stories of trying – and failing – to rent or buy in Vancouver.

See also

• Vancouver Mayor hears stories of 'terrifying' housing market from young campaigners
• Vancouver empty homes tax to go to public consultation (POLL)
• Foreign buyers in Vancouver hit with additional 15% property transfer tax

According to the release, the results of summit will be critical in shaping the City’s Housing and Homelessness Strategy, and establishing its priorities for the next five and ten years.

The City already has plans to launch an Empty Homes tax next year, to try to increase rental stock, while the province’s 15% tax for foreign buyers aims to move home prices downward.

But there are other options on the table – such as developing affordable housing on City land, and working with First Nations to build more rentals on their land.

To find out about all the re:address events happening in Vancouver next week and to register to attend, check here: readdress.ca. Some events are free, while others are $20.

Can’t make it to the events, but want to have your say anyway? Head to vancouver.ca/your-government.

Millennial Activate

Where: Vancity Theatre – 1181 Seymour St, Vancouver

When: Tuesday, October 25, from 7 to 9:30 pm

Register: On Eventbrite, totally free, or email [email protected]

The Sublime and Ridiculous

Where: The Vancouver Convention Centre –East – 999 Canada Place, Vancouver

When: Thursday, October 27, from 7 to 9 pm

Register: On Eventbrite, $20, or email [email protected]