Re: “Too embarrassing to go downtown,” letter, Sept. 8.

When I read letters like this I think about the expression “cutting off your nose to spite your face.”

There is no denying the problems on downtown Victoria streets, but to deny yourself and/or your company the joy of all downtown has to offer seems unwise.

It is entirely possible our visitors have seen the same or worse where they come from.

I deliberately walk down Pandora Avenue to see if things are getting better or worse and unfortunately they seem to only becoming sadder.

Everyone has an opinion about what could or should be done but it seems to me the only solution is recovery centres since nothing in place is seemingly, although we may read otherwise, making a difference.

That and compassionate care facilities to help those suffering unsanitary and inhumane conditions on the street. Surely we can figure this out.

Lorna Rennie

Victoria

Re: “Densification will not help reduce housing costs,” editorial, Sept. 5.

The editorial rightly points out that low wages are a major factor in our housing crisis. However, it’s a mistake to conclude that densification is not a solution.

This perspective sets up a false choice, suggesting that because increasing housing supply won’t solve every problem, it’s an ineffective tool.

This view overlooks the fundamental role of policy in creating housing scarcity. Developers build what our zoning laws allow them to build.

When antiquated zoning restricts what can be built to expensive single-family homes or luxury towers, it limits market options and drives up prices for everyone.

The issue isn’t the developers themselves, but the system that forces them to operate in a constrained, high-cost environment.

Building more diverse housing, such as townhouses and mid-rise apartments, is essential to increase supply and help stabilize prices. The expensive rental unit cited is a symptom of a sick system, not proof that adding homes is useless.

To make housing more affordable, we must address both sides of the equation.

We need to fight for better wages, but we also must reform our housing policies to allow for more supply.

Ignoring the supply crisis........

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