Horgan pledges to build many more units of affordable housing

BC New Democrat leader John Horgan says the previous Liberal government disregarded the housing crisis and left a legacy of ``runaway'' housing costs.

He says the NDP government has built more housing in three years than the Liberals did in 16.

Horgan says the NDP's speculation and vacancy tax saw 11 thousand empty condos become occupied, bringing in 115-million dollars in new revenue.

He says that money comes from people who live somewhere else and who looked at Vancouver as a place to invest rather than a place to put down roots.

Horgan, who's campaigning in Coquitlam today, says a re-elected NDP government would continue to focus on building a range of housing options, such as co-ops and housing for the homeless, and encouraging developers to build more rental units.

In Vancouver today, Liberal Leader Andrew Wilkinson says his government would launch a review of all property taxes. He also says community safety has declined as a result of the N-D-P's housing, mental health and addictions strategies.