Letter: Heights housing not needed

The Heights District Plan Market Analysis (Appendix D, page 115) notes, “In the next two decades, Vancouver is projected to need almost 11,000 new dwelling units at an annual average development trajectory of 540 units per year.”

Looking at 2020 permits, we see 50 percent of the 20-year need for dwelling units had been permitted in 2020 with two months left in the year. Simple math says Vancouver does not need to push high-rise structures to meet housing demands.

• If 2021 sees the same rate of permitting, Vancouver will have permitted 20 years’ worth of housing need in just two years.

• If the current trend for permitting continues for five years, Vancouver will permit 28,500 dwelling units with a need for only 11,000 units.

• If only half of those 28,500 permits move to construction, Vancouver will have a housing surplus of 3,250 units in 20 years, and 15 additional years of permitting and building adding to the surplus.

• If all 28,000 go to construction, the surplus is 17,500 units with 15 additional years of permitting and development to follow.