Housing has been a persistent issue in Jasper for decades. The shortage of affordable, quality homes isn鈥檛 news.
We all know the town is in dire need of more units, but the challenge is there鈥檚 little incentive to build an apartment building, as few homeowners are open to having one in their neighbourhood.
That was especially evident last week during the Dec. 18 Planning and Development Advisory Committee meeting, where more than a dozen Jasperites were quick to oppose the rezoning of two lots for the development of a 10-unit apartment building on Connaught Drive.
The advisory committee had already recommended to Parks that the rezoning be approved and Parks took that advice, informing Rob Olson that he had conditional approval last October.
But, after some procedural questions and strong opposition, the committee was forced to hold a second hearing, where residents of the neighbourhood went through a long list of reasons they don鈥檛 want an apartment building in their backyard.
Most troubling of the arguments, though, was the idea that renters are less respectful of their homes and neighbourhoods than homeowners.
This is a common view in Jasper鈥攖he idea that the type of people who live in rental units are troublemakers, who terrorize their neighbours with late night parties.
And, although it may be true that some of Jasper鈥檚 residents do come for a season of rip-roarin鈥� fun, it鈥檚 unfair for those lucky few who can afford to purchase homes to paint all renters with that same tainted brush.
Many of Jasper鈥檚 long-time residents, whether staff of Parks Canada, the municipality, CN, or many of the town鈥檚 businesses, are renters. For some that might be a choice and for others it鈥檚 a reality of living in a town where housing prices are greatly inflated and wages are pitifully low.
Olson is proposing a 10-unit building with premium two-bedroom apartments鈥攁partments for young families and working professionals who have likely struggled for years to find a half decent, affordable home.
By crying, 鈥渘ot in my backyard鈥� and pointing fingers at lowly renters, homeowners are depriving many of Jasper鈥檚 residents of the healthy, happy homes they deserve.
