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Published on May 25, 2024 • Last updated 3 hours ago • 3 minute read
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The debate over Calgary's comprehensive rezoning has two sides battling it out inside theologian John Van Sloten. Jim Wells, Postmedia Calgary. Jim Wells/Postmedia
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A few years ago, I received a notice from the City of Calgary requesting my opinion on a new Attainable Homes project proposed for our neighbourhood. My initial reaction was selfish: it would result in the loss of green space, increased traffic and noise, and could change the fabric of our community.
Talking to neighbors on the street, I wondered if now was a good time to sell my house. The irony of this self-centered response was that one of my children had just purchased an Attainable Homes property in another part of the city.
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That's the way the human heart works. We support fair policies that benefit us. We believe the “costs” of increased population density are justified for other neighborhoods and congested streets. We believe everyone has the right to a roof over their head, as long as that roof doesn't overshadow the housing status quo.
When reading about the uproar over the City of Calgary's proposed zoning changes, which aim to provide homes for families and individuals who can continue to live and work in our city and be part of our common prosperity, many people seem uninterested in “sacrificing” for this greater good. Affordable housing is essential to maintaining Alberta's common advantage (strong economy and real estate values), yet people are hesitant to pay the expected housing costs to make that possible.
Our desire to be good neighbors seems to be at odds with our actions.
But when we choose to make room for others, we become truly neighborly and more selfless and kind people.
None of us are being asked to do anything drastic like give up our homes, we're just being asked to lean back a bit to make room for a few newcomers who didn't buy when the market was more accessible to us.
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Altruism aside, I think there are great benefits to densifying communities: more people to meet and get to know, and more taxpayers to help keep resident tax rates low. More community members mean more community resources: more volunteers, more people to shovel snow, more neighbors to borrow tools from, etc. Established neighborhoods have more kids, more eyes on the streets, and more attendees at community events.
We've had a variety of benefits from the new Attainable Homes project in our neighborhood. The building itself is beautiful and actually blocks some of the traffic noise from our local thoroughfare. The city planning department listened to our community and sited the units in a way that preserved most of our beloved green space. And, it's actually been great getting to know our new neighbors. It turns out I've known one of them for years, since we met at the local pool. She was in need of affordable housing after her divorce.
As a faith leader, I have preached many times about God's kind heart, a God who always makes room for everyone. But when it comes to reflecting His heart, I fall short. I'm unwilling to give up my privacy, my space, my view, my parking spot.
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The struggle over housing policy seems to be real inside me. There's a part of me that doesn't want others to have what I have (largely by luck), even if it means paying the price. It's hard to admit that, given how important my home is to me. I know what a gift owning a home is: security, financial security, beauty, pride of ownership. Throughout this housing crisis, I've found myself increasingly grateful for my walls, furniture, and heating.
We know what it means to have a home, so why wouldn't everyone want to have a home? The “inconvenience” of increased population density is a small cost to pay to provide this gift to others.
John Van Slooten is a community theologian who owns a beautiful home in Calgary.
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