Is Gregor Robertson Right About Affordable Housing? A Realistic Assessment

Hugo van Dijk

5 min read

Post on May 25, 2025

4.0

Share

Robertson's Key Affordable Housing Initiatives

Gregor Robertson's administration introduced several key initiatives aimed at increasing the supply of affordable housing in Vancouver. Let's examine some of the most significant ones.

The Empty Homes Tax

The Empty Homes Tax, implemented in 2017, aimed to discourage property speculation by taxing vacant residential properties. The tax, levied at a rate of 1% of the property's assessed value, was intended to incentivize owners to either occupy their properties or rent them out, thereby increasing the housing supply.

• Impact: While precise figures are debated, some reports suggest the tax contributed to a slight decrease in vacancy rates and an increase in rental listings. However, the impact was likely less significant than initially hoped.
• Criticisms: Critics argue that the tax had loopholes, failed to address the core issue of affordability, and potentially displaced renters in some cases. Some landlords chose to sell rather than pay the tax, potentially increasing property prices. Additionally, the tax's effectiveness was hampered by difficulties in accurately identifying truly vacant properties.
• Keywords: Empty Homes Tax, Vancouver Housing, Speculation Tax, Property Taxes, Housing Supply

Density Bonuses and Zoning Changes

Robertson's administration also focused on increasing housing density through zoning changes and density bonuses. Density bonuses incentivized developers to include affordable housing units in new developments in exchange for increased building heights or density allowances.

• Incentives: This approach aimed to leverage private sector development to create affordable housing. The idea was that developers would find it economically advantageous to include affordable units as part of a larger development.
• Success Rate: While density bonuses led to an increase in the number of housing units built, the affordability of these units remains a point of contention. The definition of "affordable" in these developments often didn't align with the needs of low and moderate-income earners.
• Drawbacks: Critics argue that density bonuses primarily benefit developers and may not result in genuinely affordable housing for those most in need. The resulting units might be more "affordable" than market rate, but still unaffordable for many.
• Keywords: Density Bonuses, Zoning Reform, Affordable Housing Development, Vancouver Development, Housing Density

Investment in Social Housing

Robertson's administration also invested in the construction and renovation of social housing units. While specific figures require further research and analysis, the investment aimed to provide affordable housing options for low-income individuals and families.

• Scale of Investment: While the amount invested was significant, it paled in comparison to the massive scale of Vancouver's housing crisis. The demand far outstripped the supply created through social housing initiatives.
• Impact: The new social housing units created provided much-needed affordable options for specific groups. However, the overall impact on addressing the wider housing affordability crisis was limited due to the relatively small number of units created compared to the overwhelming demand.
• Keywords: Social Housing Vancouver, Public Housing, Housing Crisis, Affordable Housing Solutions

Criticisms and Challenges of Robertson's Approach

Despite the initiatives undertaken, Robertson's approach faced significant criticisms and challenges.

Insufficient Funding and Supply

The most significant criticism leveled against Robertson's policies is that the funding and the resulting supply of affordable housing were insufficient to address the magnitude of Vancouver's housing crisis.

• Statistics: Homelessness rates and the percentage of income needed for housing remained high during his tenure. This lack of progress highlighted the inadequacy of the policies' scale and impact. Data from sources like BC Housing and CMHC should be consulted for precise figures.
• Keywords: Housing Affordability, Housing Supply Vancouver, Homelessness, Vancouver Housing Crisis

Displacement Concerns

Increased development and rising property values, spurred in part by policies aiming to increase density, raised concerns about gentrification and displacement of existing residents.

• Examples: Specific neighborhoods experienced significant rent increases and displacement due to redevelopment. This demonstrated an unintended consequence of some well-intentioned policies.
• Keywords: Gentrification, Displacement, Vancouver Real Estate, Affordable Housing Impact

Effectiveness of the Empty Homes Tax

The actual impact of the Empty Homes Tax on vacancy rates and affordability remains a subject of ongoing debate. While some reduction in vacancy rates was observed, it might not be directly attributable to the tax alone and may be influenced by other market forces.

• Data Analysis: Rigorous analysis of data on vacancy rates, rental prices, and property values before and after the implementation of the tax is needed to evaluate its true effectiveness.
• Keywords: Empty Homes Tax Effectiveness, Housing Policy, Vancouver Policy Analysis

A Comparative Analysis: Other Cities' Affordable Housing Strategies

Comparing Vancouver's approach under Robertson to other cities' strategies reveals both successes and failures. Cities like Vienna, with their extensive social housing programs, offer stark contrasts to Vancouver's market-driven approach. Other cities have experimented with different models of inclusionary zoning and community land trusts, yielding varying degrees of success. A detailed comparative analysis would require a separate, in-depth study.

• Keywords: Affordable Housing Best Practices, International Housing Policy, Comparative Housing Policy

Conclusion: Was Gregor Robertson Right About Affordable Housing? A Final Assessment

Gregor Robertson's legacy on affordable housing in Vancouver is complex. While initiatives like the Empty Homes Tax and investments in social housing represented attempts to address the problem, these efforts were arguably insufficient to counteract the profound housing crisis. The reliance on density bonuses and market-based solutions, while potentially increasing housing supply, didn't adequately tackle affordability for many vulnerable residents. Displacement concerns and criticisms of the effectiveness of the Empty Homes Tax further complicate the assessment.

Ultimately, while some progress was made, the scale of Vancouver's affordable housing crisis demands more innovative and aggressive solutions. We need to learn from both successes and failures to develop truly effective Affordable Housing Solutions and Affordable Housing Initiatives. We encourage you to learn more about current affordable housing initiatives in Vancouver and advocate for policies that prioritize the needs of all residents. Let's work together to find sustainable and effective solutions to Vancouver's housing crisis.