BC Homes Matter 2.06

Please save Surrey manufactured home parks from current and future unfair redevelopment.

Redevelopment of Surrey and area parks to make way for "Innovation Blvd" along the King George corridor will displace low income families, disabled and retired people who are not in a financial or life situation to rebuild or simply move on.

Some of the residents have lived in their homes in excess of 20 years; some have purchased their homes recently. ALL PAY YEARLY TAXES. With the local and provincial bylaws as they sit, most could lose all equity in their homes in the event of looming redevelopment, being given only a year’s pad rental, $7,000-$8,000 as compensation. This is a fraction of what they have invested into their homes. There are virtually no reasonable spaces in the lower mainland to relocate an older mobile home to, if the home could be moved at all.

In a market where low income housing is becoming more scarce, and the low income class is getting displaced, the redevelopment of our parks will further add to the problems of not only the individuals, most of whom could not recover from such a huge loss, but to the city and perhaps even province as well. Have no doubt THIS IS AUSTERITY.

To expect fixed or low income residents to cut their losses, in the tens of thousands of dollars, and move on, is criminal. Some of the residents would be required to move into care facilities based on fixed income, meaning they could very realistically lose the freedom, and livelihood they have worked their lives to achieve.

We are aware huge development groups promise moderate income housing for all, yet none to date appear to meet the needs of thousands of manufactured home owners in Surrey and district.