This is a reply to the letter, 'Oak Bay residents living in fear of densification'.
When one sees a new development like an apartment complex or a row of townhouses being built in our community, the first thought is often about the sacrifices needed to be made for increased density. While these new residents may at first seem like intruders, causing havoc with street parking and adding to the congestion of municipal infrastructure, let's take this opportunity to be reminded that the individuals and families who will eventually move in are more often than not those who serve and provide for our communities.
Residents such as nurses working at the overburdened and understaffed Royal Jubilee Hospital, librarians who keep Oak Bay library well organized, or restaurant servers who create an enjoyable dining experience along Oak Bay Ave, all require housing near the neighbourhoods they serve. The housing crisis does not only affect those with low incomes, but also many with middle incomes as well; the so-called 'missing middle”'. People who work modest jobs, often in direct customer service, are finding it ever more difficult to find housing suitable for starting families. As a result, we force them out of our communities to places where the cost of living is more affordable.
Ironically, at the same time, we also expect exceptional care in our hospitals, prompt referral to long-term care, and flexible hours of operation at our favourite restaurants. Unfortunately, we can’t have our cake and eat it too. These services require staff, they require hard-working people who, at the end of the day, want to stay and serve their communities, but also to provide for their families. Building more homes, particularly middle-income housing, not only helps tackle the housing crisis but also indirectly alleviates other issues, including chronic understaffing in health care and labour shortages in hospitality. If we expect high-quality services, it should be reasonable for those who provide them to expect stable housing in the communities in which they serve.
Ran Liu
Victoria
