Affordable housing and FAR
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Submitted by TheAgitator on Mon, 01/01/2007 - 10:51am.
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Posts: 3
Joined: 01-01-2007 |
Affordable housing is an issue that most resort communities struggle with, and Fernie is no exception. For some time now, the overall cost of housing has exceeded wages, and the demand for affordable housing has exceeded supply. The City of Fernie has taken leadership in addressing this issue, and have announced that they will soon be consulting with businesses and residents. This can only be a good thing, but I have to say that I'm disappointed that others are slow to meet their responsibilities. Affordable housing has been on the agenda for some time. In April 2000, the Fernie Alpine Resort (FAR) Official Community Plan was passed into law by the Regional District of East Kootenay. In the plan, clear objectives are set to address staff housing, along with environmental protection, sanitation, storm water management, transportation, parking and public recreation facilities. Since the OCP was passed, we've seen sewer upgrades, parking lot expansion and intersection upgrades, but still no news on staff housing. My impression is that RCR seems only too happy to dump their responsibilities on the City. With RCR not providing adequate staff housing, they directly contribute to the affordable housing shortage in Fernie. This in turn leads to staffing problems for Fernie's other businesses, who are increasingly unable to pay wages that will allow their employees to afford the rents that supply and demand have set. We have all heard of local businesses that have closed due to their inability to retain lower-wage employees. In my opinion, RCR needs to look outside themselves and to lead dialogue with the community. Simply erecting a dorm to provide hostel-style accommodation because the the OCP requires it doesn't quite cut it for me. After almost seven years, I'd be looking for a more innovative solution. A good example of a resort operator becoming part of the solution is Booth Creek Resorts in Lake Tahoe. Since 1989, Northstar has leased the Hilltop motel in Truckee, providing 70 beds for employees. Recently, Northstar announced their “Rental Rewards Program”, awarding free lift tickets or a season pass to homeowners who rent a room or rental unit to resort employees for the winter. Failing an industry-led solution, I'm 100% behind enforcing affordable housing provisions through legislation. Whistler, for example, has passed an Employee Housing and Service Bylaw, requiring a mandatory contribution to a municipal housing fund or the construction of a one bed unit for each employee on any new building permit or business license. From 1990 to 1996, this bylaw alone generated $6.5 million for affordable housing. It is sad that RCR seems content to wait until the eve of an expansion to address this issue and their apparent willingness to further drain the community of it's resources. Let's just hope that RCR seizes the opportunity provided to it by the City, and starts working towards becoming a more responsible and respected corporate citizen. |
Joined: 10-01-2007
Well, now I have seen everything. Do you actually want to model Fernie after Whistler?
RCR is never going to help you!! This is a corporation just like any other and they don't care about you!
You can spend your life wishing in one hand and crapping in the other, which hand will be filled first?
Whistler has to be the worst example of corruption and greed in the Skiing world today and not a model for development!
The Resort Community called Whistler may have collected 6.5 million in funds for staff accom, but where is it? I lived in Whistler for 10 years and finally got sick of paying 1500 dollars for a 2 bedroom unfurnished condo. That was the price before the Millenium. I can't imagine what it is now. Staff accom is glorified slave quarters, there. You make 9$ an hour working for the mountain to pay $400-$600 a month in the staff accom (which you are sharing with strangers). Kids have to get 2 or 3 jobs just to be able to live.
Agitator, for you to dump all of this on FAR is totally ridiculous.
FAR isn't the only employer in Fernie. And I'm not a fan of theirs either. Remember a couple of years back when they laid off 60% of their staff and then cancelled those kids passes? I do. That is the corporate attitude, get used to it.
I belive that the problem right now with Fernie is that it is quickly becoming a ghost town full of million dollar houses.
This place feels like an empty shell. There are no families moving here to live year round anymore. I have watched houses around me get sold (for ridiculous prices), and they sit empty. There are no families but mine who live on our street!!
The vast sales of houses are mostly coming from non-local investors who are looking at profiteering/ flipping the houses and making a profit. Those houses are sitting empty 90% of the time. This does nothing for the community but break it apart. I watched it happen in Whistler and Fernie is more than happy to follow that example while ignoring the problems associatted with it. This isn't a community anymore, it's quickly becoming a joke.
Playing the blame game is easy, it's always FAR right?
Wrong. The problem is that everyone here wants to get rich off the hype.
I'm sad to tell you that I am taking my family away from this. I moved here to start my family and now that I have, I am realizing that this isn't a family town. So, we are leaving in the spring.
I will be moving my small business as well. Thats another family for your list, another business forced out because of greed and profitteering.
How many families will be here in 5 years?
One more thing, Fernie is only keeping around 25% of the money that changes hands here. In other towns and cities in BC that # is more like 50%. I get my info from Stats BC.
The population here is dropping as well. The locals are being pushed aside for the new developments that are priced out of touch with reality. There is no going back now,the slopes are slippery.
Joined: 04-06-2006
You raise some very interesting points Ashaman. But where does TheAgitator mention anything about whistler in his post?
Joined: 10-01-2007
The second last paragraph. Thanks!
Joined: 04-06-2006
missed that...
Joined: 01-12-2005
I think the point Agitator is trying to make is that if there was affordable housing for FAR staff, housing in town would be more affordable for long-term residents of Fernie. It's ridiculous that rundown coal miner shacks are renting for $1500 monthly during the winter season and what's even more ridiculous is that these dumps (sorry if offend anyone) are selling for over $200,000! This leaves someone like me wondering how I will ever afford to buy a home in Fernie.
Ashaman has valid points too and it is so sad to see Fernie homes being bought up by out-of-towners, leaving residents of Fernie with inflated prices, higher property taxes and desolate streets.
I came here with a young family and fortunately with the business that I am in, I see great potential for growth. I believe Fernie is a wonderful small community but there are many issues that need to be addressed. One of the issues being attainable housing.
My last point. Ashaman, you said in your post: "That is the corporate attitude, get used to it". Why? Why the hell should we get used to it. Because they are "The Ski Hill"? Because without them where would Fernie be? If that is so and they are the driving force for visitors to Fernie, then they are directly affecting my businesses, just as they are directly or indirectly affecting all businesses and residents of Fernie. That's a pretty big corporate responsibility so excuse me if I don't "get used to it".
Joined: 10-01-2007
Look around the world at attitudes displayed by corporations.
Do you see anything changing for the better?
When I say "Get used to it", it's because corporate attitudes and actions will never change.
The real point I am trying to make is this; we as citizens have been looking for leadership from corporations for as long as they have existed. I think that waiting for a faceless entity to take your best interests at heart is foolish. the lack of leadership from RCR is the same everywhere, they are a business, they are here to make money. For us to be vainly waiting for RCR or anyone else to take care of our interests is a waste of time.
If you think that attainable housing is important in Fernie, do something about it instead of complaining about RCR.
BTW thanks for all the attention to this, more people need to be involved.
Joined: 01-01-2007
Hi Ashaman, first off, thanks for your reply.
But sorry, I'm not going to accept that I can't do anything about it. I agree that corporate attitudes are difficult to change, but not impossible. Unless pressure is applied then corporations probably won't change. Don't you think a petition to RDEK asking for enforcement of the conditions in the FAR Official Community Plan would change things??
My post wasn't intended to be a complaint or pointing the finger, I'd intended it to be an invitation for discussion. Even if RCR doesn't enter the discussion, we will be doing something by raising awareness of the issue within the community. I'd love to be in the position to develop my own affordable housing, but for now, this is my way of "doing something about it".
My point still remains: RCR plays a large role in the economy and society of Fernie, and as such it has responsibilites to the community over and above turning a profit for their shareholders. RCR should be engaging with the community on a variety of issues, and they do not appear to be doing so.
Frankly, I don't forsee RCR posting on this forum (shame), as I'd really like to be proved wrong. If anyone can, please post details so we can all make more informed judgements, and ideally, become part of the solution.
Joined: 01-01-2007
I'd just like to add that I realise I'm singling out RCR, fairly or otherwise.
There are many businesses that could be doing more, but it's only RCR that actually appears to be breaking the law.
Joined: 04-06-2006
RCR will soon realize that an affordable housing solution is not something that they just have to do because of local laws, it will become something necessary to provide for their employees, many of which have already expressed their inability to afford the high cost of Fernie living on RCR's minimal wages.
This year RCR scrambled to get enough employees to run their operation. As the cost of living in Fernie rises their will be less and less of a seasonal employee base in Fernie.
Joined: 24-11-2005
I've just read the OCP, and after confirming with RDEK, I think it needs to be made clear that RCR is not breaking the law or the terms of the OCP. The 225 unit (450 bed-unit) limit is for the Village Core only.
Please have another look at the documents on the RDEK Web site:
http://www.rdek.bc.ca/Bylaws/BL%20fernie_alpine_resort.htm
I don't want to discourage discussion on OurFernie, but if there are still concerns then it may be best to speak with the planning office at RDEK.
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Simon Croome
OurFernie