The Vancouver City Council will attempt to “help” the homeless by raising taxes on properties within the city.
Issue 1: I own two rental properties within the city limits. My private home isn’t in Vancouver and I will not be allowed to vote on this tax increase.
Issue 2: If they think that landlords are going to “eat” the rise in taxes, they’re mistaken. We will be forced to raise rents. I don’t make much profit on my rentals; they’re long-term investments. So this tax will hurt renters within the city.
Issue 3: Most homeless people are dealing with mental illness or addictions. Our society wouldn’t treat a dog the way we treat our mentally ill. Taxes should be used to build hospitals for the mentally ill. Taxes should be used to develop treatment programs to help get addicts off the streets and become healthy citizens. To take more taxes without a plan to get people from the shelters and back into society is throwing good money after bad. Without facing reality to deal with addictions and mental illness, they will not reduce homelessness or crime.
Public safety will not be improved. The only things the council will accomplish are higher taxes and higher rents.
