Letter: Housing in New West is more important than shadows on your yard - Vancouver Is Awesome

Erin Hayashi from New Westminster writes a compelling letter questioning community priorities regarding a proposed affordable housing project and the true value of housing security versus neighborhood aesthetics.

Hayashi challenges opposition to a six-story affordable housing development by breaking down the mathematical reality behind common concerns. She argues that reducing the building height would eliminate housing for 200 people while providing minimal benefits to existing residents. The letter examines whether brief traffic delays or potential property value decreases justify denying basic housing security to marginalized families.

• Housing security provides fundamental baseline happiness, while garden aesthetics offer only additional comfort
• Three seconds of increased commute time per person hardly justifies eliminating homes for 200 individuals
• The author questions why 20 residents' gardening preferences should outweigh basic human dignity for marginalized families
• If private gardens are truly valuable enough to block housing, they should be shared publicly with the community