Advocates for social housing programs in Ottawa are urging the City to ensure people with low incomes are still able to live close to LRT routes.
"We need to do everything we can in our power, and the Governments need to do everything they can in their power to make sure that our city is equitable and inclusive," said Trevor Haché, Vice-President of Healthy Transportation Coalition. He added, "if the city is building this massive light rail project, we need to ensure it's not just the wealthy that can afford to live next to it."
Ottawa's Light Rail Transit system is expected to open by the end of November. Properties along LRT's route are expected to increase in value.
Haché suggested that the city should establish a working group to look further into the issue and to implement a solution now rather than later.
Waiting times for affordable housing in Ottawa, via The Registry: The Social Housing Registry of Ottawa, can be up to 5-years or more.
