Robertson appeals to renters in final week of campaign
Posted November 13, 2011 8:48 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) – Vancouver’s mayor is appealing to renters, as he campaigns for re-election next Saturday.
Gregor Robertson’s latest promise is to create a rent bank.
With the backing of vision and cope council candidates, Robertson wants to see a rent bank established using seed funding from a private donor.
“A rent bank is something that people can access if they have an emergency expense, they suddenly lose their job and they can’t make a month’s rent, so they are able to access some funding that allows them to keep paying their rent and not lose their home,” Robertson explains.
Robertson says the bank would make loans available on favourable terms.
“We expect financial institutions and community partners to fund this, and it is a proven model in many other cities… so there isn’t a risk to the City of Vancouver.”
He does not expect the bank to cost the city anything beyond the necessary staff time.
