Co-op housing would be a fine investment. I have l...

2009-02-16T07:54:00.000-05:00

Co-op housing would be a fine investment. I have lived in co-op housing for 20 years in downtown Toronto. I was the chair of the Capital Planning Committee, Finance Committee, Membership Committee at various times. We had a million dollar budget.

Alexandra Park Housing Co-op was one of three of the first co-ops built in Toronto. We were one of the rare co-ops to stay out of the red every year. We were never subsidized by the state -- the only favour we received was a 50 year mortgage.

The co-op is the total responsibility of its members, so we all took pride in our homes; when the time came to install new windows throughout, we got the most green. The same for new roofs, new bathrooms throughout, new heating. All done over the years.

So there I was living in a two-bedroom in the core of Toronto and paying $815.00 per month, everything included, heat, water, cable tv. We set aside our own money to suppliment another resident who needed it to get through a difficult time.

Building co-ops provides employment while providing affordable housing. It provides continuing employment because the co-op needs servicing.

It is very disturbing to think that the politician...

2009-02-15T18:55:00.000-05:00

It is very disturbing to think that the politicians don't even care what they spend the cash on, as long as they get their pictures taken doing it.

When we have such a need for affordable housing, both new and for repair/maintenance costs for the existing stock, bike lanes to nowhere are a cruel joke. As already stated, they don't even create jobs.

Surely we can do better than that.
DJO

Comments on The Burd Report: Another view of infrastructure funding

Co-op housing would be a fine investment. I have l...

It is very disturbing to think that the politician...