13-6-20

It was five years ago that the City of Vancouver decided to reclaim this plot of land from a social housing/low cost housing development that had stood here for years. There was outrage and opposition for sure, and protests about the loss of a housing development when there was a shortage of housing in this city, affordable or otherwise.

Fast forward to today and the lot is still sitting vacant waiting for a viable strategy for redevelopment. We were promised a higher density development with as many or more affordable rental units as were in the original development. The roads are slowly sinking into the ground. The barricades protecting the trees from mythical construction machines are beginning to sag. The only thing one can be certain about is the land is worth more and more each year and there still isn't enough affordable housing in Vancouver.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/craigsinclairphotography/sets/72157610869875467/