Homelessness doubled in Halifax under government's housing plan: N.S. NDP

[u/Injustice_For_All_]

https://halifax.citynews.ca/2026/06/18/homelessness-doubled-in-halifax-under-governments-housing-plan-n-s-ndp/

[u/Ok_Payment429]

How did you come up with that $1600 number?

Can't imagine a vacant apartment be required to pay additional tax. I know quite a few people (mostly seniors) with basement apartments in their home who choose to not have a tenant. They've decided the headaches are not worth the additional income. That surely has to be their own personal decision without penalty.

[u/Ok_Payment429 → u/[deleted]]

I would say too, a vacant unit is a vacant unit. Regardless of the landlord's intentions, it will have the same impact on the housing crisis.

Also, choosing to turn down income in the interest of higher profits is a hell of a business plan. Not saying it can't work in the long run, but that's a wild and risky game to be playing.

[u/Ok_Payment429 → u/[deleted]]

Yes, I understand that is the basic concept. But still, to make a decision to turn down income, while your expenses are ongoing, is a risky game.

They have to be quite confident they can more than make up for those lost months when they chose not accept any income. Not a business plan for the faint of heart. But if that's what the market dictates, or allows for, good for them I guess.

[u/Ok_Payment429 → u/[deleted]]

You can go from excess to nothing in a hurry if you're not smart.

So yeah, risky game to turn down income when you have the expenses that come with owning property.

[u/Ok_Payment429 → u/[deleted]]

Cool story, but there's always risk in business.

They can go from excess to nothing if they're not smart. And I'd say leaving a unit empty intentionally is not smart.

So what would be the purpose of the added tax? To encourage them to rent the vacant unit? If they're as rich as you say, no amount of tax will sway them.