Have your say on the Vacant Home Tax
Wednesday, September 4, 2024
The City of Sault Ste. Marie is implementing a Vacant Home Tax (VHT) to address increased housing availability and affordability. Vacant properties are contributing to the scarcity of available housing options for residents. By introducing this measure, the City seeks to encourage efficient use of housing and alleviate the strain on the local housing market.
The VHT targets properties that persistently remain vacant and neglected for more than six months within a year. The VHT is not meant to levy taxes on properties that serve as primary residences or may temporarily become unoccupied due to travel or unforeseen circumstances.
The community is invited to review the draft VHT framework and offer feedback on key aspects such as the definition of a vacant home, the proposed tax rate that should be applied, and possible exemptions. The draft VHT framework, along with a survey is available for public input at the City’s website at
https://publicinput.ca/h2606.
The VHT project team will also be hosting a public open house on Monday, September 23, 2024, from 4 to 7 p.m. in the Civic Centre’s main lobby.
Feedback into this project will assist the project team in finalizing the VHT program, which will be presented to City Council later this fall.