New Report Questions Effectiveness of Housing Policies

Starting January 2025, Finland's Social Insurance Institution-Kela will discontinue general housing allowances for owner-occupied homes, affecting maintenance and interest payments, although pensioners will remain exempt. Meanwhile, Kelowna City Council is set to discuss updates to zoning bylaws and a development permit for a 20-storey BC Housing rental project, which includes variances for building height and parking spaces. The U.S. faces a rental crisis with over half of renters spending a significant portion of their income on housing, leading to high eviction rates and subsequent adverse effects on families. In Australia, a new study argues that increasing urban density has failed to make housing more affordable, with home prices in major cities continuing to rise. Additionally, a study on Vancouver's vacant-homes tax reveals it has reduced vacancy rates but not improved housing affordability, highlighting the complexity of the housing crisis that requires multifaceted solutions.