Christy Clark reveals 6 key principles to affordable housing

Premier Christy Clark says her government will lay out a plan toaddress housing affordability in the province over the coming daysand weeks.

In a new address on YouTube, Clark lists six principles thegovernment will consider, including supporting first-time homebuyersand protecting consumers from greedy sales practices.

She says a determined effort must be made by all levels ofgovernment because high housing costs are impacting families.

"To make sure that we preserve the dream of owning a home and keeping it in the reach of the middle class," said Clark in the video.

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On Sunday,Jean-Yves Duclos, minister of Families, Children and Social Development, and Rich Coleman, the province's housing ministerare set to announce funding for the issue at a media event on Hastings Street in Vancouver at 2:30 p.m. PT.

Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson said he wants theprovince to co-operate in collecting an empty homes tax; Robertsonhopes to create more rental housing instead of letting investmentproperties sit dormant while his city's living costs soar.