Vacant Homes Tax - Tell us your thoughts

York Region is taking action on the housing affordability crisis in its nine cities and towns.

York Regional Council has authorized a feasibility study of a Vacant Homes Tax that would apply only to non-principal residences that are unoccupied for a specified period. This tax would encourage homeowners to occupy or rent out their homes and any tax revenues generated would be used to support affordable housing initiatives.

A Vacant Homes Tax was one of 16 initiatives under the Province’s Fair Housing Plan in 2017, and is aimed at addressing housing affordability concerns through improving the availability of rental units in the secondary market. Other than the City of Toronto, only municipalities that are ‘designated’ by the province are eligible to levy this tax.

Preliminary analysis suggests York Region could have upwards of 4,000 vacant homes. To understand and gauge support for this tax, York Region is looking for the communities’ input and feedback. Viewpoints, including opinions on the ways and means of determining vacancy, can be shared by completing a short survey. Two virtual town hall meetings to discuss the potential tax will be held on Thursday, July 7, 2022, and Monday, July 11, 2022, beginning at 5 p.m. Visit york.ca/VacantHomesTax to register.