SURREY, February 25, 2015 – The Board of Directors of the Vancouver Homebuilders Association of Vancouver (HAVAN) has voted to support the proposed 0.5% Metro Vancouver Congestion Improvement Tax, joining over 100 other organizations on the Better Transit and Transportation Coalition.
“A strong land use plan requires an efficient transportation plan”, said Bob de Wit, CEO of the Vancouver Homebuilders Association of Vancouver (HAVAN). “The HAVAN takes the matter of increased costs very seriously, recognizing the impacts on construction costs and housing affordability, however transportation improvements are essential for our region to function effectively while supporting continued market growth.”
The Mayors’ Council plan, based on an expectation that our region will add a further one million residents by 2040, calls for a 7.5 billion dollar investment in infrastructure that will spin off tens of thousands of jobs. The required transit and transportation improvements will reduce traffic congestion and associated costs imposed on citizens and businesses. The new tax creates a basis to pay for new infrastructure development and required services.
For more information about the referendum http://mayorscouncil.ca/referendum/
With more than 800 member companies, the Homebuilders Association of Vancouver is Canada’s second-largest residential construction industry association. Its members are responsible for approximately 15 thousand housing starts and 75 thousand jobs annually. Established in 1974, HAVAN is affiliated with the Canadian Home Builders’ Association at both the provincial and national levels.
