Today's B.C. budget came and went, with one of the BC NDP's key campaign promises noticeably missing.
It's time for renters in #BC to get a break. We'll make life more affordable with a $400/year renters rebate. #bcelxn17 pic.twitter.com/M6sjkMOSGB
— John Horgan (@jjhorgan) April 12, 2017
"We will provide a refundable renter's rebate of $400 dollars per rental household in B.C. each year," read the party's platform, the second promise listed on its first page of key policies.
However, reports began swirling last week following the BC NDP's throne speech that failed to mention the key campaign promise.
.@selinarobinson says $400 annual renter’s rebate that NDP promised in elxn is not technically dead, and hope is to implement it in future years. But not in next week’s budget.
— Rob Shaw (@robshaw_vansun) February 14, 2018
The rebate was opposed by BC Green Party leader Andrew Weaver during the election, which may have influenced the omittance of the renter's rebate with the Green party holding the balance of power in B.C.'s legislature.
Today's budget did announce funding totalling over $6.5 billion over the next 10 years will be used to "saturate" the housing market with new affordable supply.
This includes $1.8 billion for 19,000 affordable rental units for the middle class, skilled workers (such as teachers, service-industry workers, nurses, and carpenters), and individuals, families, and seniors struggling to find affordable rental housing.
A total of 114,000 affordable housing units will be funded by the provincial government, with over $300 million budgeted over the next three years for 2,500 new supportive housing units for the homeless and 1,500 units for women and children fleeing abusive relationships.
Another $155 million will go towards 1,750 new supportive housing units for indigenous peoples.
