It's always been next to impossible to legislate taste and common sense, but I suspect local politicians are ready to add pride of ownership to that list if they haven't already done so.
There have been three instances in just the last week or so where the pride, or lack thereof, people take in their homes and neighbourhoods has come into question.
The mayor's own daughter, Barb Jackson, started it off with some less than flattering comments about North Delta, a place where she grew up but only recently returned to live. The younger Jackson isn't impressed by the state of the present-day community, laying much of the blame on absentee landlords that have allowed their investment properties to fall into a state of disrepair.
Coun. Anne Paterson followed by lamenting the condition of some of Delta's heritage homes, structures that have been allowed to deteriorate to such a degree over time the quickest and cheapest fix is a date with the wrecking ball.
And on Wednesday, an electoral organization calling itself Renew Delta was launched to offer a vision to revitalize the municipality, hoping to re-establish it as the most desirable area in the Lower Mainland.
It's no secret there are parts of Delta that are - How should I put this? - looking a little tired these days. Much of the housing stock was built in the 1960s and '70s after the George Massey Tunnel opened, so we're at or approaching the half-century mark for many homes.
However, just because a home isn't brand new doesn't mean it can't be neat and tidy, so while age is certainly a factor, neglect and indifference are far greater culprits when it comes to the state of some Delta neighbourhoods.
The big question is how can local government get homeowners to take more pride in their properties if they're just not that fussed about peeling paint and weedfilled gardens? It's private property, after all, and legislation surrounding unsightly premises is pretty limited in scope.
I'm sure Delta could do more to set an example, but such initiatives don't come without a price tag. Peer pressure from neighbours is another potential motivator, but that doesn't work too well if next door is in worse shape.
There will always be ways to inspire and encourage people to get with the program, but in the end homeowners have to find that pride of ownership within themselves or they won't keep it up.
And no amount of legislation is going to change that.
