New B.C. Housing lawsuits suggest nearly one-third of subsidized units went to unqualified buyers | CBC News
14 more lawsuits filed in relation to affordable housing program CBC.ca
sdgtalks
B.C. Housing Files Lawsuits Against Abusers of Affordable Home Ownership Program
A beauty consultant, a chef, and a musician who claimed to be stuck in China.
B.C. Housing filed 14 new lawsuits this week against a wide range of people accused of abusing a program designed to get affordable homes into the hands of people who need them.
In a statement released late Thursday, B.C. Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon said the agency has taken back title on 19 units and is currently suing to get back 22 more — with more lawsuits to come.
Emphasis on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
- Goal 1: No Poverty
- Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
Potential Fraud Identified
Kahlon once again pinned the blame for problems at Vivid on the Liberal government — who were in power at the time the project started as a pilot to help middle-income families into B.C.’s overheated housing market.
The building was built with the help of a $53-million low-interest construction loan from the province, intended to allow the developer to pass the savings on to qualified buyers.
But the NDP claim no provisions were in place to prevent buyers from owning property elsewhere until they took over government and introduced a covenant requiring purchasers to live in their units for at least two years.
According to the lawsuits, all that was made clear in “affordable housing program education” sessions where buyers were told the project was financed by B.C. Housing and they “were being provided with a discount.”
In a statement, B.C. Housing said the agency was first made aware of potential fraud that same year when they learned some units were being rented in violation of the covenants.
Emphasis on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
- Goal 1: No Poverty
- Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
‘Residing in China due to COVID’
One of the lawsuits cites the situation of a young student from China “with limited English skills” who called Vivid’s strata council to say she was being evicted.
The student said she was aware she was not the first tenant of the unit.
“Her tenancy commenced in October 2021 and ended in March 2022, when the tenant was evicted with 10 days notice,” the lawsuit says.
According to the claim, that’s the same month a process server for B.C. Housing attended one of six detached homes also owned by the couple who own the unit where the student had been living.
Another of the latest claims was filed against a musician who paid $481,200 for his unit at Vivid — a price that included a parking stall.
The lawsuit says B.C. Housing asked the musician for documentation in March 2022, but didn’t hear back until the following month when a lawyer advised them the man “was residing in China due to COVID and could not execute a statutory declaration.”
B.C. Housing says nine of the reclaimed units have been sold to “qualifying middle-income households.”
An additional 10 are for sale.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
-
SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
- Target 11.1: By 2030, ensure access for all to adequate, safe and affordable housing and basic services and upgrade slums
- Indicator 11.1.1: Proportion of urban population living in slums, informal settlements or inadequate housing
-
SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
- Target 16.5: Substantially reduce corruption and bribery in all their forms
- Indicator 16.5.1: Proportion of persons who had at least one contact with a public official and who paid a bribe to a public official, or were asked for a bribe by those public officials, during the previous 12 months
Analysis
-
SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
The article addresses the issue of affordable housing and the abuse of a program designed to provide affordable homes to people in need. This aligns with SDG 11, which aims to ensure access for all to adequate, safe, and affordable housing.
-
Target 11.1: By 2030, ensure access for all to adequate, safe and affordable housing and basic services and upgrade slums
The specific target under SDG 11 that can be identified based on the article’s content is to ensure access for all to adequate, safe, and affordable housing. The article highlights the abuse of the Affordable Home Ownership Program, which was designed to provide affordable homes to those in need.
-
Indicator 11.1.1: Proportion of urban population living in slums, informal settlements or inadequate housing
The article does not explicitly mention this indicator. However, it can be inferred that the abuse of the Affordable Home Ownership Program may contribute to an increase in the proportion of urban population living in inadequate housing if affordable homes are not reaching those who need them.
-
SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
The article also highlights potential fraud and corruption in the housing program. This aligns with SDG 16, which aims to promote peaceful and inclusive societies, provide access to justice for all, and build effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions at all levels.
-
Target 16.5: Substantially reduce corruption and bribery in all their forms
The specific target under SDG 16 that can be identified based on the article’s content is to substantially reduce corruption and bribery. The article mentions potential fraud in the housing program and allegations of units being purchased by people who already owned property, indicating possible corruption and misuse of the program.
-
Indicator 16.5.1: Proportion of persons who had at least one contact with a public official and who paid a bribe to a public official, or were asked for a bribe by those public officials, during the previous 12 months
The article does not explicitly mention this indicator. However, it can be inferred that the allegations of units being purchased by people who already owned property may involve bribery or corruption in the housing program.
Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities | Target 11.1: By 2030, ensure access for all to adequate, safe and affordable housing and basic services and upgrade slums | Indicator 11.1.1: Proportion of urban population living in slums, informal settlements or inadequate housing |
| SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions | Target 16.5: Substantially reduce corruption and bribery in all their forms | Indicator 16.5.1: Proportion of persons who had at least one contact with a public official and who paid a bribe to a public official, or were asked for a bribe by those public officials, during the previous 12 months |
Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.
Source: cbc.ca
Join us, as fellow seekers of change, on a transformative journey at https://sdgtalks.ai/welcome, where you can become a member and actively contribute to shaping a brighter future.
