Perhaps the greatest obstacle to creating diverse housing options in our communities is NIMBY or "Not In My Backyard." This is opposition by citizens to proposed housing developments in their community. We have witnessed this lately in Calgary with opposition to the halfway house in Connaught and the Brick shelter in Crescent Heights. The reasons for this opposition are varied and include concerns about: increased traffic, blocking of the view, blocking of light, noise, crime, litter, decrease in property values, aesthetics, etc.

Why do we always focus on the possible negative consequences of affordable housing? What about the benefits to our communities and to our society of having diverse communities and diverse housing options? One of the reasons I like my community so much is the fact that people of many different incomes live here, and I get to live and interact with all of them instead of only one specific group. This is great because it gives us a chance to see how other people live, learn from them, and have a more realistic perspective on life. Everyone fits in and no one stands out as being different.

Another benefit is that there is housing for everyone and people do not have to commute long distances to work if they don't want to. Often communities have a need for people to do a jobs with varying levels of pay. If people with lower incomes need to commute long distances to work in your community, it may be very difficult to find people to work in these jobs.

Affordable housing also means higher density housing. This is usually better for the environment because less land is needed, fewer materials are required to build and furnish it, less energy is required to operate it. It can also reduce car traffic and the green house gases this creates. Higher density housing can also mean stronger relationships between neighbours, sharing of labour and resources, and safer neighbourhoods. This was the case in a housing cooperative I visited recently.

Having diverse housing options within the same community enables people to find the home that is appropriate for them. When their family size expands or contracts, if their income goes up or down, or if they have special needs or wishes to fill, they can find a more suitable home and stay in the same community. It also means that relatives or friends with different incomes can choose to live near each other.

And of course there is the reason that all people need and have the right to adequate shelter, and if not beside you, then where? If we all say no, what will be the consequences for our society and our world?

I'm sure there are many other benefits to having diverse housing options within the same community. How many can you think of???