Taxing empty homes worked in BC: interview with Jen St. Denis

B.C.'s Speculation and Vacancy Tax successfully returned 20,000 vacant homes to the long-term rental market between 2018 and 2020, according to a report released this summer. Gen Squeeze founder Dr. Paul Kershaw interviews journalist Jen St. Denis about her coverage of the empty homes tax and other solutions to the housing affordability crisis. 

"It takes a long time to get housing built, but we had all these units that were apparently just hiding under the couch cushions," said St. Denis, The Tyee's Downtown Eastside and "Hot, Hot Housing" reporter.

Learn more:

• Jen St. Denis's article for The Tyee on the empty homes tax

• B.C.'s Speculation and Vacancy Tax Act review report

• Gen Squeeze's housing affordability solutions 

• Recap of Gen Squeeze's advocacy for Vancouver's Empty Homes Tax, the first in North America

• "Big Idea" for Maclean's: taxing million-dollar homes

• Full episode transcript