By Doreen Marion Gee

Albert Einstein once said that you cannot solve a problem with the same thinking that created it. With so many challenges facing Victoria politicians these days, new ways of thinking are needed to tackle entrenched problems. With problems like poverty, lack of housing, and homelessness, the old approaches are not working. A new mindset could shift the sands. Some civic leaders are adding fresh perspectives to this bleak landscape. Chris Coleman brings creative thinking to his role as James Bay's representative. He sees different options for dealing with pervasive problems. His approach is novel: Instead of an "either / or " scenario, the best approach is where everybody wins.

This is Coleman's third term as a City councillor. Sipping from his cup at James Bay Coffee and Books, he seems energized and enthused about his role as City Liaison to James Bay. Housing was the first issue on the table. I mentioned my concern at the scarcity of affordable housing in James Bay amidst the plethora of developments. Coleman brings his background in both business and politics to bear on this issue. In his view, when the interests of developers are pitted against the demand for affordable housing, the best solution is one that benefits all parties. He gave me this example: If a developer wants to add two stories of condos to a building, then he should be required to add two floors of supportive housing. When building anew, it may be more feasible to have both market price and low - cost housing in a building than just one or the other.

Coleman has more innovative ideas to make housing more plentiful and accessible in James Bay and the rest of Victoria. He wants the city to consider giving "no interest loans" to homeowners to help them with the costs of constructing secondary suites and all the required fees. With more conversions comes more lower cost housing. Coleman believes in building smaller units that are cheaper to construct and he thinks that even some garages can be converted to ancillary units. To protect our rental stock, the City could make legal "covenants" with owners so that despite condo conversions and new strata councils, certain suites in buildings remain as rentals. With skyrocketing rents, Coleman suggests that the province may need to review its new rules in the Residential Tenancy Act regarding rent increases. A promising idea is to create a job at City Hall for someone whose sole concern is affordable housing. They would make sure that there was supportive housing in every new development from the start.

Coleman believes that "The noble goal is to build a better community for everyone." He wants more housing for seniors and young families in James Bay. With issues of poverty and homelessness, he sees a need for more social services in James Bay and elsewhere. As the City's Deputy for Housing and as the Co-chair of the Federal Task Force on Homelessness for seven years, Coleman says that "homelessness is a moral issue" to him. He is adamant that we need to give people a roof over their heads before anything else.

Keeping the dialogue going is important to Coleman. He mentions the example of the Shamrock Motel to show how the proper public process can work for everyone. His major goal as liaison is to make sure everyone is heard in the community. In November, he will be resuming his Open Door sessions to meet with James Bay residents - at the New Horizons Centre on the third Friday of each month. He invites anyone with concerns to contact him at # (250) 361 - 0223 or by E- Mail: ccoleman@victoria.ca.

Some people will agree with Coleman's views. And some will not. But at least he is thinking outside the box. And his door is open.