Vancouver's Homeowner Vacancy Rate Nearly 5 Percent

Thousands of homes in the city were found to be underused and subject to a vacancy tax.

1 minute read

March 22, 2018, 8:00 AM PDT

By Elana Eden


Nearly 8,500 homes in Vancouver—or about 4.6 percent—will be subject to a new vacancy tax of 1 percent of their assessed value, The Guardian reports. They were found to be "empty or underutilized" for at least 180 days out of the year, based on declarations submitted by nearly 99 percent of homeowners in 2017.

More than a quarter of the vacant properties are in downtown Vancouver, and nearly 61 percent are condos. 

Vancouver's controversial vacancy tax went into effect in 2017 as part of a multipronged strategy to reduce housing prices in the city. Economist Robert Hogue told The Guardian that while the new data on homeownership vacancy is "difficult to put into context," it contrasts with the city's rental vacancy rate, which is less than 1 percent.

Wednesday, March 7, 2018 in The Guardian

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

U-Haul truck on road with blurred grassy roadside in background.

Americans May Be Stuck — But Why?

Americans are moving a lot less than they once did, and that is a problem. While Yoni Applebaum, in his highly-publicized article Stuck, gets the reasons badly wrong, it's still important to ask: why are we moving so much less than before?

March 27, 2025 - Alan Mallach

Rusty abandoned oil well and equipment with prickly pear cactus next to it in West Texas.

Using Old Oil and Gas Wells for Green Energy Storage

Penn State researchers have found that repurposing abandoned oil and gas wells for geothermal-assisted compressed-air energy storage can boost efficiency, reduce environmental risks, and support clean energy and job transitions.

March 31, 2025 - Pennsylvania State University

People sitting and walking in plaza in front of historic Benton County Courthouse in Bentonville, Arkansas.

Placekeeping: Setting a New Precedent for City Planners

How a preservation-based approach to redevelopment and urban design can prevent displacement and honor legacy communities.

March 28, 2025 - Emily McCoy

Orange and white vintage-look streetcar on Market Street in San Francisco, CA.

San Francisco’s Muni Ridership Grew in 2024

The system saw its highest ridership since before the Covid-19 pandemic, but faces a severe budget shortage in the coming year.

3 hours ago - San Francisco Chronicle

Green and silver Max BRT bus at station in Fort Collins, Colorado.

Colorado Lawmakers Move to Protect BRT Funding

In the face of potential federal funding cuts, CDOT leaders reasserted their commitment to planned bus rapid transit projects.

4 hours ago - Colorado Public Radio

Low view of separated bike lanes in middle of Pennsylvania Avenue with U.S. Capitol dome visible at end of street at night.

Safe Streets Funding in Jeopardy

The Trump administration is specifically targeting bike infrastructure and other road safety projects in its funding cuts.

5 hours ago - Grist