Pubdate: Thu, 31 Jan 2008 Source: Georgia Straight, The (CN BC) Copyright: 2008 The Georgia Straight Contact: http://www.straight.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1084 Author: Bob McKinnon Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v08/n087/a01.html GROW-OP PROFITS DOUBLY AFFECT RENTAL SQUEEZE I agree that the rental crunch is due, in part, to rental housing being used for grow-ops ["Grow-ops shrink rentals", Jan. 24-31]. I would say there is another way that grow-ops are affecting housing in this area. In my opinion, the high real-estate prices in Metro Vancouver are due, in large part, to the investment of profits-from grow-ops and other lucrative criminal activities-in downtown condos. It's obvious from the lack of occupancy of a large percentage of these units that they are an investment only. This puts the option of home ownership out of the reach of a great many working people and, therefore, puts more demand on rental housing. Bob McKinnon Vancouver - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom