The mortgage foreclosure crisis in the U.S. is a prime example of life's necessities becoming commodities to be bought and sold. This has resulted in a Dickensque tale of heart grinding "home" loss with specters of banks and speculators profiting from the misery of others.
We all share in the system's "sin". If I am the buyer, I want it cheap. If I am the seller, I want the highest price. That may be good for antiques but not for life's necessities.
At Ladner United, we have a piece of property that we wish to sell/ develop for above market value. Yes, it is for a good cause. The restoration of an historic village landmark and rebuilding our facilities to serve Christ's mission. Yet, the greatest profit is high-end housing.
This means young homeowners look east and their children sit in other community's classrooms. Residents currently occupying a lucrative investment fear that affordable/high density housing will destroy the "ethos". Aging baby boomers fret about where they will find a place without stairs.
Recently I spent a few days in historic Geneva. I asked our why all the buildings appeared to numerous floors added after the original construction? During the Protestant Reformation, thousands of Protestants fleeing persecution in France were welcomed to Geneva.
Where to house them? The answer was to build "higher" because people needed a "home".
That story strangely warms my heart as I contemplate the future housing crisis in South Delta. Jim Short can be reached a minister@ ladnerunited.org.
Correction: A Minister's Minute column by John Struthers ran last week with Paul Woehrle's byline and photo. The Optimist regrets the error.
