Vancouver is in the grips of a brutal housing crisis. Vacancy rates are the lowest among Canada’s major cities.
Vancouver has tools that can help to address this crisis - like enforcing the Empty Homes Tax, and cracking down on illegal Airbnbs.
This will force wealthy housing speculators and owners of second or third homes to rent their empty apartments, creating desperately needed homes for Vancouverites.
But not only did Mayor Sim and ABC vote to reduce the Empty Homes Tax, and exempt new condos from it, they went so far as to cut a $3 million cheque to the city’s wealthiest property owners.
Our housing crisis is too dire to move backwards. We must keep strengthening the Empty Homes Tax - and strengthen enforcement of those breaking the rules and profiting during a housing crisis.
Tell Ken Sim and ABC Vancouver: don’t cut housing hoarders a deal. Strengthen enforcement instead.
I support Christine Boyle’s call to strengthen the Empty Homes Tax - and strengthen enforcement against those breaking the rules and profiting during a housing crisis.