<img height="1" width="1" style="display:none" src="https://www.facebook.com/tr?id=192888919167017&amp;ev=PageView&amp;noscript=1">
Tuesday, March 19, 2024
March 19, 2024

Linkedin Pinterest

Letter: Analyze subsidies enabled by a tax

By
Published:

Much is being discussed about the homeless crisis and the so-called affordable housing shortage. The Vancouver City Council is proposing a tax to finance affordable housing. Before we proceed with taxes, someone should conduct an analysis of some important questions. Who, exactly, are the homeless? How many are families? How many are mentally ill? How many are veterans? How many are unemployed but can work? How many are working but can’t afford to buy a home or rent at current prices? How many are transient by choice?

Is there a housing shortage or is there an unreasonable lending and rental market that makes housing unaffordable? I searched the Internet and found 385 single-family homes in foreclosure that are for sale. This doesn’t include homes like the one down the street from me that is a vacant foreclosure but not yet for sale. A majority of these homes are listed at a reasonable price, but the costs and complexity of financing a foreclosure make it difficult or impossible for most prospective buyers to afford.

How many of our homeless will a new tax actually help? Could it work as a lending pool to help buy these foreclosed properties? Could it subsidize rentals? Could it build secure housing for the mentally ill? I would like these questions answered before voting in a new tax.

We encourage readers to express their views about public issues. Letters to the editor are subject to editing for brevity and clarity. Limit letters to 200 words (100 words if endorsing or opposing a political candidate or ballot measure) and allow 30 days between submissions. Send Us a Letter
Loading...