Mayor Moonbeam Responds To Empty Home Census Data

As outrage grows that there could be as many as 25,502 empty homes in the city, according to the 2016 Canada Census, Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson appears to have come out swinging to defend the denizen's of the Village on the Edge of the Rainforest.

“In a housing crisis, it’s unacceptable for so much housing to be treated as a commodity,” said Robertson in a statement. “Housing is for homes first, and as investments second.”

Umm... err...? We'll come back to that.

As you know by now, the 2016 Canada Census released data yesterday which counted 309,418 private dwellings in Vancouver in 2016 – but only 283,916 of those were occupied by usual residents. By comparison, the 2011 census counted 286,742 private dwellings in Vancouver, with only 264,573 of those occupied by usual residents – a difference of 22,169.

That's a stunning increase at a time that the real estate developers are clamouring for increased density to deal with the housing crisis (or as we call it the malinvestment in real estate as a commodity creating a 'housing bubble').

Now “occupied by usual residents” refers to a home where people live permanently. The 25,502 not included in that number were occupied by people who usually live outside Canada on the day of the census or were totally unoccupied.

Adding to the kerfuffle is the fact that last year Gregor's own staff had used BC Hydro data to conclude there are only 10,800 year-round empty homes in Vancouver.

So what did Mayor Moonbeam have to say about this, ummm, contradiction?

“Seeing data that shows there may be even more underutilized homes than BC Hydro suggests gives us more reason to aggressively move on the empty homes tax, and other measures that will help bring homes back within reach to residents in all corners of the city,” he said.

Ah yes, the empty homes tax.  Now... is this the same Mayor Robertson who, back in July 2016, took this position?

Says Robertson today, “the City won’t sit on the sidelines. Vancouver will continue to do all it can to maintain and protect affordable homes, and pursue all tools available to ensure the best use of all our housing.”

All that it can? Spoken like a true populist politician.

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Census Stats showing little or no population growth - and a massive variation in COV empty home data

So the 2016 Census data was released today and created quite the bit of commotion on Twitter this morning.

While most municipalities in the region are showing moderate population growth, certain areas are showing no growth whatsoever.  West Vancouver is the fastest shrinking city in the Lower Mainland.

West Van’s population fell 2.1 per cent in 2016. The City of North Vancouver and District of North Vancouver grew by 0.6 per cent and 0.3 per cent respectively, well below the average growth rate in Greater Vancouver, which was 1.6 per cent. 

Vancouver's west side is stagnant as is Richmond's.

Now all of this data is curious because the narrative has been that everyone is moving here and that is what is driving our housing prices through the roof. But BC doesn't crack the list of the top 3 provinces for population growth (Alberta 18%, Saskatchewan 6.3%, and Manitobia 5.8%).

More significantly Census data estimate over 25,500 unoccupied homes in Vancouver... a number DOUBLE the City of Vancouver estimate.

Look for the real estate cartel to immediately start it's media spin to defend it's push for higher density and rezoning.  We'll see if that's the big theme in the coming days.

Meanwhile, check out this humorous Craigslist post for west side Vancouver accommodation...

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Email: village_whisperer@live.ca
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