WHEREAS the BC Ministry of Small Business and Revenue, as part of Bill 11-2008, is proposing to create a new assessment category for supportive housing under Section 19 of the Assessment Act. Under this new assessment category, land and improvements would be assessed at a nominal rate, which would essentially mean that they would have no value, and therefore the properties in question would pay no property taxes; AND WHEREAS the City of New Westminster is concerned about the property tax implications associated with this legislation. It is also concerned that this legislation may act as a major disincentive to the creation of new supportive housing targeting vulnerable populations, including the homeless: THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Province of British Columbia be requested not to enact the new assessment category for supportive housing targeting vulnerable populations under Section 19 of the Assessment Act.
Ministry of Community Development The intention of Government was clearly articulated in the 2007 Throne Speech where it was announced that a new assessment class and new tax exemptions for small-unit supportive housing will be developed over the next year for this legislatures consideration. Support for non-profit societies that provide housing and support services for the most vulnerable British Columbians is a priority of government. By classifying properties that meet a set of criteria and designating them in a property class, government ensures that the designated properties will not be impacted by property taxation costs which divert much needed funding away from those who require the housing and support services. The new assessment class and tax relief replaces an approach where individual properties were required to request tax relief from their local taxing jurisdiction, some of which granted relief and many who did not provide relief. Government took into consideration the input received from the Union of British Columbia Municipalities and other local governments and factored that input into its decision-making. A number of options and approaches were considered by government and the creation of a new assessment class for supportive housing was determined to be the appropriate mechanism in which to support those in need and create a consistent approach to these types of properties.