Municipal politicians have a responsibility to make their communities affordable for potential buyers, at least thatB次元官网网址檚 what Langford Mayor Stew Young believes.

B次元官网网址淵ou donB次元官网网址檛 want to be keeping people out of the market B次元官网网址� that hurts the economy,B次元官网网址� Young said. B次元官网网址淚f theyB次元官网网址檙e not buying houses then we (as politicians) have to get creative.B次元官网网址�

One of the main hurdles affordability faces is the supply of new homes and rental accommodation. B次元官网网址淭hatB次元官网网址檚 really the problem, thereB次元官网网址檚 not enough supply,B次元官网网址� Young said, noting 2016B次元官网网址檚 decrease in inventory levels that has carried into 2017.

While a large portion of Langford residents already own their homes, Young said council is always trying to attract new residents to the area.

He credits the CityB次元官网网址檚 political continuity for allowing the implementation of long-term strategies that have transformed the community over the past 25 years or so. B次元官网网址淟angford has been very successful because weB次元官网网址檝e had some long-term councillors,B次元官网网址� he said, adding they have always been on the lookout for ways to make accommodation more affordable.

Young noted that 20 years ago council legalized secondary suites as a way to provide more rental options and income help for those that need it. By doing that, council has enabled the fire department to work with homeowners to make sure the proper safety protections are in place, especially in older units.

At one point, Young said, Langford firefighters even went into secondary suites to install smoke detectors. B次元官网网址淣ew houses are (also) getting proper suites that are safe and done to code,B次元官网网址� he added.

But the City hasnB次元官网网址檛 just stopped at secondary suites and could be looking to revamp some of those related bylaws.

While many of the regionB次元官网网址檚 residents may associate Langford with newer developments with smaller lots and higher density, the mayor said there are still a number of larger lots on which there is only one single-family home.

City staff and council have been brainstorming ideas to help increase housing inventory levels, and the idea of allowing two suites in a home has been floated.

B次元官网网址淚t might be helpful B次元官网网址� (But) itB次元官网网址檚 not for everyone,B次元官网网址� Young warned, cautioning the second-suite idea would only be permitted on larger lots and would potentially only allow for a one-bedroom unit.

The idea is that this third living area B次元官网网址� complete with a kitchen B次元官网网址� could be used for young adults trying to save up for a down payment on a home, or for older family members who may not want to be on their own, but still want to enjoy some independence.

With more young adults living at home longer, such units could help get them out on their own. B次元官网网址淭hat may help the crunch that we have,B次元官网网址� Young said, referring to the regionB次元官网网址檚 rental inventory.

While council hasnB次元官网网址檛 passed legislation that will allow for these new suites, itB次元官网网址檚 something thatB次元官网网址檚 not far from YoungB次元官网网址檚 mind.

katie@goldstreamgazette.com

GREATER VICTORIA MARKET UPDATE 禄 MONTH TO DATE MARCH 20/17 COURTESY VICTORIA REAL ESTATE BOARD

禄 532 / 1,121 -- NET UNCONDITIONAL SALES / TOTAL, MARCH 2016

禄 740 / 1,445 -- NEW LISTINGS / TOTAL, MARCH 2016

禄 1,604 / 2,618 -- ACTIVE RESIDENTIAL LISTINGS / TOTAL, MARCH 2016