Vancouver's Housing Legacy in Question

Commitments by organizers of the Vancouver Olympics for a "housing legacy" are falling dramatically behind, the NDP says, and it wants the federal government to take action.

New Democrat MP Libby Davies is calling on the Conservative government to adopt recommendations from a recent United Nations housing report that raises concerns about the Olympics' potentially negative impact on the homeless.

"On the heels of international criticisms, the government must commit to a real housing plan that will actually deliver the affordable housing units that are so desperately needed in this country," said Davies.

The UN report criticizes Canada for its inaction on affordable housing. It warns that big events like the Olympics can trigger speculation and rapidly increasing housing prices, and lead to forced evictions to make way for infrastructure and other preparations.

The Vancouver MP, who's drafted a private-member's bill that would create a national housing strategy, said everyone deserves "a secure, affordable, adequate place to live."