Living and working in Vancouver, one is bound to hear about housing issues, whether it is rising prices in real estate, the dramatic impact on affordable housing, or the sky-rocketing rents. With each point of view the majority of people can find a reason to agree. At no time does it bring us any closer to a solution.
Conversations and awareness of going concerns are relevant and important to the health and growth of any community. That said, change is still inevitable. There are far more factors influencing the local market than just what our local residents and business people are doing. There is foreign investment, a changing global climate, a continuing influx of new immigrants with and without means for survival. The economy continues regardless.
This is when it is important to recognize what is truly important to keep focused on. With change being inevitable, growth continuing, costs fluctuating more up than down, people need to work at community, and building relationships and understanding. Being more open with each other and working together, solutions for all can be found. Focusing on the divisions will keep the solutions at bay, not just each other.