Vacant Home Tax

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In December of 2019, Council directed staff to review the feasibility of imposing a tax on vacant residential properties to encourage occupation of those properties and further direction was provided on July 5, 2021, to develop a framework.

According to the 2016 census data, Hamilton had 11,350 unoccupied private dwellings of which, an unidentified number that have been purchased solely for speculation purposes. Implementing a vacant home tax (VHT) could encourage homeowners to occupy or rent their properties while increasing the housing supply and affordability of housing. Identifying vacant units is the most challenging piece for the implementation of the VHT.

A tax on vacant properties is designed primarily as a housing tool in which the revenue collected would be used to support affordable housing initiatives.

The City would like to hear and understand resident and stakeholder opinions on the need to implement a VHT and what other factors we need to consider in implementing this tax.

Survey results

Thank you to everyone who shared feedback! At this week's General Issues Committee, staff will be presenting about the Vacant Home Tax in Hamilton. View the survey results (Appendix B - Project Report to Report FCS21017(b))

In December of 2019, Council directed staff to review the feasibility of imposing a tax on vacant residential properties to encourage occupation of those properties and further direction was provided on July 5, 2021, to develop a framework.

According to the 2016 census data, Hamilton had 11,350 unoccupied private dwellings of which, an unidentified number that have been purchased solely for speculation purposes. Implementing a vacant home tax (VHT) could encourage homeowners to occupy or rent their properties while increasing the housing supply and affordability of housing. Identifying vacant units is the most challenging piece for the implementation of the VHT.

A tax on vacant properties is designed primarily as a housing tool in which the revenue collected would be used to support affordable housing initiatives.

The City would like to hear and understand resident and stakeholder opinions on the need to implement a VHT and what other factors we need to consider in implementing this tax.

Survey results

Thank you to everyone who shared feedback! At this week's General Issues Committee, staff will be presenting about the Vacant Home Tax in Hamilton. View the survey results (Appendix B - Project Report to Report FCS21017(b))

  • CLOSED: This survey has concluded.

    Thank you for your feedback. The survey is now closed.

    Survey Closed
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Page last updated: 06 Apr 2023, 07:24 PM