B.C.’s cities call for tax and rule changes to make housing more affordable
VANCOUVER — Local politicians in British Columbia are calling for an overhaul of the housing system with significant tax and regulatory changes in order to bring skyrocketing real estate and rental prices back to a level local residents can afford.
The Union of B.C. Municipalities has issued a report containing 32 recommendations for provincial and federal governments based on research and best practices from across Canada and around the world.
Mayor Greg Moore of Port Coquitlam led the initiative for the union and said there are numerous reasons for the crisis in housing affordability that require a “multitude of solutions.”
“The frustrating part that I see is many individuals and associations come out and say, ‘Well if we just did (housing) supply then everything would be solved.’ Well it’s much more sophisticated than that,” he said.