Members of the political party A Better Maple Ridge pledge to make affordable housing and responsible development key issues in the upcoming election. From left: Council candidate Korleen Carreras; Council candidate Sunny Schiller; Mayoral candidate Dan Ruimy; Council candidate Jenny Tan; Council candidate Onyeka Dozie.

Today the new political party A Better Maple Ridge, led by mayoral candidate and former MP Dan Ruimy, released their housing platform. A Better Maple Ridge is pledging to increase affordable housing and streamline housing approvals in downtown Haney.

“If we want our community to grow and thrive, we need housing that is affordable for all ages and incomes: young families, seniors, and those who want to downsize into a home without losing the equity they have built over decades,” said Council candidate and long-time business advocate Onyeka Dozie. “The housing we build - or don’t - will either attract new talent and families, or cause long-term residents to be forced out and move elsewhere.”

“Current mayor Mike Morden has not responded to these urgent needs, preferring to focus on supporting his developer donors by approving unsustainable developments,” said council candidate and economist Jenny Tan. “A strong local economy and affordable housing go hand-in-hand - you can’t have one without the other. We hear from residents over and over again on the doorstep that they want a thriving economy with vibrant local restaurants, shops, and industry. ”

“A focus on affordable housing in downtown Haney and increasing services to neighbourhoods that are already built doesn’t just make economic sense, it’s critical to tackling climate change,” said candidate Sunny Schiller. “Through smart development, more people are able to live where we already have services which increases our city revenue without increasing service costs. It’s a win-win.”

“We know that many residents, particularly seniors and youth, are struggling to find affordable housing in Maple Ridge,” said candidate and current school board chair Korleen Carreras. “Too many residents have been forced out of our city because housing has become overpriced. We need to build a Maple Ridge where our young people can afford to live and find jobs and our seniors can afford to retire and enjoy a high quality of life.”

“'Working with the federal government and tapping into the national housing strategy, we can access the funds we need to meet the demands of our community," said mayoral candidate Dan Ruimy.

Highlights of A Better Maple Ridge Housing Platform:

● Bring together a housing roundtable with developers, community services, and housing advocates to inform policy decisions and help design liveable communities.

● Work with federal and provincial governments and community stakeholders to ensure a continuum of affordable housing options including rental units.

● Prioritize approvals of apartment and townhouse developments within a 15-minute walk of Haney instead of at the city limits. This financially responsible approach ensures residents benefit from more services for their taxpayer dollars.

The election is Saturday October 15, 2022.

More information on A Better Maple Ridge can be found at ABetterMapleRidge.ca.

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