As the housing market in Canada continues to heat up, many Canadians need help finding affordable housing in major cities. One of the main contributors to this problem is the issue of underused housing, where properties remain vacant for a significant portion of the year. However, the Canadian government has recently introduced a new policy initiative to address this issue: the Underused Housing Tax. This new tax is designed to incentivize property owners to use their properties better and generate revenue that can be reinvested into affordable housing initiatives. This article will look at the Underused Housing Tax and its potential impact on the Canadian housing market.
In 2017, as part of the city’s attempts to address the problem of housing affordability, Vancouver introduced the Underused Housing Tax. Victoria, British Columbia, approved the tax in 2018, followed by the province of British Columbia in 2019. It is anticipated that in the coming years, other major cities in Canada will also implement policies similar to those proposed here.
Unoccupied residential properties for more than six months of the year are subject to the levy. The tax rate is between 0.5% and 2% of a property’s assessed value, though it can be higher or lower based on the area and the type of property.
The Underused Housing Tax is designed to incentivize property owners to either rent out their properties or sell them to those who will occupy them as their primary residence. The revenue generated from the tax is reinvested back into affordable housing initiatives, such as building new social housing units or providing subsidies for low-income renters.
Some local landowners and developers have voiced concern that the Underused Housing Tax unfairly targets those who keep a second house or vacation property in the city. However, the tax’s supporters say dealing with underutilized homes is essential, contributing to the scarcity of low-cost housing in extensive metropolitan areas.
In addition to the Underused Housing Tax, the Canadian government has also implemented other policies to address housing affordability. For example, the government has introduced a stress test for new mortgage applicants, which requires them to qualify for a higher interest rate than the one they are being offered. This policy is designed to ensure that new homebuyers can afford their mortgage payments even if interest rates rise in the future.
In conclusion, the Underused Housing Tax is a significant move towards addressing the problem of underused housing in major cities across Canada. In this case, it places a tax on new housing. It is anticipated that the tax will, in the end, will result in a more equitable distribution of housing resources and will help ensure that all Canadians have access to housing that is both safe and affordable; however, there may be some initial challenges associated with its implementation; despite these, it will help ensure that all Canadians have housing that is both safe and affordable.
