Canada makes an unprecedented push for multifamily housing

https://grist.org/housing/canada-makes-an-unprecedented-push-for-multifamily-housing/

82 points · 10 comments · view on lemmy.world

10 Comments

powerofm@lemmy.ca · 17 pts · 2y (1 reply)

A great start! Now let's also cut back on parking minimums and setback bylaws to make nicer spaces that people actually want to live in, rather than townhouses masquerading as a single mansion

FireRetardant@lemmy.world · 8 pts · 2y

Build multifamily housing where transit has priority over cars. I want to see trams with priority at traffic lights.

FireRetardant@lemmy.world · 16 pts · 2y (6 replies)

As someone who lived in a few houses and now rent an apartment, when well done it is not bad at all. I don't hear my neighbours ever and my building is a renovated house, not even a new build with modern sound proofing. My location lets me walk to nearly everything I need, including the main bus terminal in my city. If you asked me 5 years ago I'd have said I could never live in an apartment and now it is one of my favourite places I've lived.

TheDemonBuer@lemmy.world · 8 pts · 2y (4 replies)

I think that really is the ideal, for a lot of reasons. It's better for the environment, it saves a lot of money overall, it's better for mental and physical health, it really is the best way to go. However, I get why many people don't like the idea of giving sometimes as much as half of their paycheck, or maybe even more, to some landlord. Luckily, there's a solution for that, too: not-for-profit housing organizations. They're essentially just like regular landlords, except instead of charging a market rent they just charge enough rent to cover all their costs, and that's it.

flamingo_pinyata@sopuli.xyz · 3 pts · 2y

Or just like own the apartment

FireRetardant@lemmy.world · 1 pts · 2y (2 replies)

We could also design and build building where is is possible to own a part of it. Might have to pay a monthly fee for maintaince of things like roofs, entrances or exterior walls. If it is possible to split and own row houses/townhouses, it should be possible for apartments as well.

TheDemonBuer@lemmy.world · 3 pts · 2y (1 reply)

I think that's basically what condominiums are. I think condos could be a great option, but I don't think they're usually any less expensive. Of course, maybe they would become more affordable if enough of them were built.

FireRetardant@lemmy.world · 2 pts · 2y

Condos also tend to be luxury. I was basically getting at it should be possible to own apartments in the right circumstances.

SlippyCliff76@lemmy.world · 2 pts · 2y

In my apartment building they ripped out the carpeting and padding of the unit above me. I couldn't hear the residents that lived above me at all when there was carpet, but these new neighbors are making lots of footfall noises with the hard floors. It's close to a nightly basis with them. Their footfalls will keep me awake past 11 pm.

psmgx@lemmy.world · 3 pts · 2y

Where tf was this 5-10 year ago?

Liberals are looking at crushing defeats and now scrambling to make.sometbing work.