News Release - October 17, 2007

VICTORIA - Opposition MLAs Diane Thorne and John Horgan are applauding the ongoing leadership shown by municipal councils in Langford and Coquitlam on the important issue of protection for manufactured home owners. 

"Langford council's decision to follow the lead of Coquitlam and protect residents at risk of losing their homes because of property redevelopment is welcome news," said Thorne, Opposition Housing and Consumer Affairs critic. "Residents can rest easier knowing that there is some protection at the local level for residents in this dwindling affordable housing stock." 

Langford will implement a series of policies to protect manufactured home owners faced with losing their homes because of redevelopment and without meaningful compensation.  The protections announced by Langford will decrease anxiety among residents, mostly seniors, and provide some comfort that compensation will be fair if redevelopments are going to be approved. 

"I have been working with park residents in my community to get these policies before municipal authorities and it is absolutely wonderful that Langford has listened," said Horgan, MLA for Malahat-Juan de Fuca. 

"Communities like Langford and Coquitlam are stepping into the void created by Campbell Liberal policies that discourage park owners from managing this important housing stock and instead encourages park owners to sell or redevelop existing facilities," said Thorne. 

Recently, the B.C. Liberals have been critical of local governments for blocking the development affordable housing in British Columbia. 

"B.C. Liberals are forcing people out of parks while municipalities are working to create stability," said Horgan. "Talk about hypocrisy. One by one, municipalities are stepping up to the plate to protect home owners.  What has the Campbell government done to protect residents? Accelerated their eviction."

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