Thousands of dollars in tax breaks will be given to two charities that do good work in Port Coquitlam, city councillors agree.
The municipal tax breaks worth $70,000 will be given to Atira Women's Resource Society, which provides transition housing and support services for women affected by violence and abuse, and PLEA Community Services Society of British Columbia, which supports vulnerable families.
The arrangement — which still requires final approval from council — comes as Atira is in the midst of constructing a 72-unit social housing apartment, 11 townhouses, a daycare and a healthcare office at 2117 Prairie Ave.
Atira will save $58,000 on next year’s municipal taxes with the emption, while PLEA, which recently purchased properties on Kingsway Avenue for its services, will save more than $11,000 based on this year’s tax rolls.
Both are registered charities and meet PoCo’s requirement that their services be available to 75 per cent or more of Port Coquitlam residents.
“I’m full on in support of lifting people up in the community, especially those that need a hand up,” said Coun. Nancy McCurrach in support of the tax breaks.
Councillors at the Tuesday (Sept. 21) in-committee meeting gave unanimous approval to the plan.
Port Coquitlam has discretion under the community charter to provide tax exemptions for properties such as schools, public hospitals and churches, as well as charitable and philanthropic or other not-for-profit groups.
Those agencies granted the exemption don’t have to pay municipal taxes, school taxes or Metro Vancouver, TransLink, BC Assessment, and Municipal Finance Authority taxes.
Among those not paying city taxes are 10 churches and 18 non-profits and registered charities for a total of $554,400 in uncollected taxes, according to city figures.
