VICTORIA, B.C. - Today, the province unveiled new short-term rental legislation. Adam Olsen, MLA for Saanich North and the Islands has issued the following statement:
“The B.C. Green Caucus has long championed the need to view housing as a human right, not as a commodity. We recently raised concerns about the impact that short-term rentals have had on housing affordability in our communities. I am pleased to see the provincial government take action and move to regulate short-term rental investment properties.
“It's essential to acknowledge local governments' long-standing support for these changes. Our call earlier this year for a provincial short-term rental registry echoed local governments' pleas and advocacy.
"There is a pathway now for communities, big and small, to regulate. More information will be collected, which will give us a better sense of what's really happening out there in the market, and we'll be able to make further adjustments as needed.
“It's important to highlight the aspect of 'supply.' While we frequently assume that the solution to the crisis lies in building new housing supply, as we see with these policy changes, part of the solution is in the efficient redistribution of existing supply.
“While we remain cautiously optimistic, it is essential that these reforms lead to tangible improvements in the lives of those struggling with not only finding housing but with housing affordability - it is great to see this legislation, but we need stronger efforts to build non-market housing if we are going to make a dent in affordability.”
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Media contact
JoJo Beattie
Press Secretary
B.C. Green Caucus
+1 250-882-6187 | [email protected]