To the Editor:
I attended the community meeting on housing at Wapanohk School this past Wednesday, as did a surprising number of individuals. Unfortunately, despite the promising crowd, I feel as though we were short-changed from having a productive community discussion on affordable housing in Thompson.
The fact that the discussion devolved into a one-issue debate over the relocation of ball diamonds and potential disturbance to animal housing at the Thompson Zoo is not the most pressing issue.
Rather, it is distressing that the city and council brought forward an affordable housing report on needs and wishful thinking, with no action to show for it. What we need to do and where we need to go is very different from: This is how we're getting there. With no action, or plans for action, brought forward by the city and the noticeable absence of any representative from Manitoba Housing or UCN to contribute, my fellow concerned citizens and I were left to debate the pros and cons of the only shovel hovering over the ground, that of the UCN student housing development.
In light of this misdirected discussion it seems the real issue was lost. The fact remains that affordable housing is a need in Thompson now. Singles and young families are not always financially ready for the obligations of home ownership, nor are they aware of the risks associated with an over-heated market. Young people living in their parents' basement are denied the opportunity for independent growth and individuals and families from outlying communities are turned away from a chance to develop skills and build assets. The community at large suffers too.
According to American psychologist Abraham Maslow in his 1943 paper, "A Theory of Human Motivation," we have a hierarchy of needs and individuals are unable to contribute to society until they have secured the safety of residence. In many cases, affordable housing is associated with recovery from addictions and abuse and aids the development of self-esteem and procurement of meaningful employment.
Thompsonites must recognize that access to affordable housing affects us all. We should have higher expectations of our city and we should have higher expectations of ourselves. Arguing over the only major project for affordable housing to come along recently concentrates creative energy in the wrong direction. We should be holding our city accountable, and expect them to do more than wait for UCN and Manitoba Housing to build. Many municipalities across Canada are struggling with the lack of affordable housing. While comparative studies are useful for shining light on the issue, the City of Thompson must do more than talk. The need is here now. All there is left to do is build.
Erin StewartThompson
