SO WHICH IS IT MR EBY - PRINCIPLES or PROFIT?

Oldtown News
Vancouver, BC

SO WHICH IS IT MR EBY - PRINCIPLES or PROFIT?


This morning I was provided information that outspoken activist for the homeless, Mr David Eby, who was recently appointed to Mayor Gregor Robertson's Homeless Emergency Action Team (HEAT) has put his Strathcona home up for rental.

The information I received also alleged that Mr Eby was attempting to flip the property for a nice tidy profit. The statement also inferred Mr Eby was a hypocrite.

I called Mr Eby. Normally I would have just written and posted the story on my blog as it is an interesting one. Although I do have my own reservations about Mr Eby, especially his participation and involvement in the endless Downtown Eastside gravy train, although perhaps he is just a really nice guy. Out of respect for PIVOT, the recent employer of Mr Eby, I instead called him to verify the information.

Mr Eby's tone of voice was friendly yet steely and guarded. I informed him that he could refuse to answer my questions and he could have easily refused but he didn't.

David confirmed that he is in fact listing the house for rental.

I asked David Eby why he wasn't renting to say 4 or 5 low-income residents of the area. Mr Eby replied that due to low shelter rates he wouldn't be able to meet his carrying costs which were according to him, $2,400.00 a month.

Mr Eby claims he has lived in his Strathcona home for a couple of years but when I pressed if he bought the house then, he refused to answer the question other than to repeat that he has lived in the house for two years.

I think lower income people if given the opportunity would gladly pay $400 - $450 a month in rental to live in a nice pretty house with heat. The house even has three bathrooms.

Especially given a tight rental market in what is turning out to be an unaffordable city, people on welfare, pensions or disability, paying $450.00 would still leave them money to live on. And if Mr Eby rented to say five people on low income he would still meet most of his carrying costs.

Since I'm not a real estate person if anyone out there is please respond to me privately or on this blog whether these carrying costs seem legitimate. Here is a link to Mr Eby's House and the advertisement for rental. The ad shows pictures and describes the house. See http://vancouver.en.craigslist.ca/apa/965537284.html

Rumour also is being circulated that Mr Eby has had the house up for sale at $650,000.00.

Mr Eby denies that he is trying to sell it but in the advertising on Craigslist there is clearly a for sale sign on the property.

For such a small modest two bedroom house with no back yard or front yard or alleyway for that matter and with a hefty price tag of $650,000.00 I'm wondering what comes first for Mr Eby - Principles or Profit?


Jamie Lee Hamilton
tricia_foxx@yahoo.com