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Housing Affordability: Victoria, BC. Bernie Pauly RN, Ph.D Associate Professor, School of Nursing Scientist, Centre for Addictions Research of BC January 30, 2014. Adequate housing : not requiring any major repairs.
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Housing Affordability: Victoria, BC Bernie Pauly RN, Ph.D Associate Professor, School of Nursing Scientist, Centre for Addictions Research of BC January 30, 2014
Adequate housing: not requiring any major repairs. • Affordabledwellings costs less than 30% of total before-tax household income. • Suitable housing has enough bedrooms for household residents (CMHC, Core Housing Need) • Source Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (2009). Research highlight: 2006 Census Housing Series: Issue 2—The Geography of Core Housing Need, 2001-2006. Socio-economic Series. Policy and Research Division. Ottawa, Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation.
‘Tip of the Iceberg’ Sources: • Pauly et al., (2013). Facing Homelessness, Victoria: Greater Victoria Coalition to End Homelessenss and CARBC • Gaetz, S., et al. (2013). The State of Homelessness in Canada 2013. Toronto. • Unsheltered • Emergency Sheltered: 1,659 individuals (Pauly et al., 2013) • Provisionally Accommodated • Insecurely housing (Core Housing Need): • 27% of Greater Victorian Renters are paying more than 30% of income for rent • 10.9% are paying more than 50% (Severe Housing need). (Gaetz et al, 2013
How easy is it to find a place to live in Greater Victoria? Source: Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation. (2007-2012). Rental Market Report, Victoria CMA
Bachelor Vacancy Rates Source: Pauly et al., 2013. Facing Homelessness Greater Victoria Coalition to End Homelessness
How much does it cost to rent in Victoria? Source: Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation. (2007-2012). Rental Market Report, Victoria CMA.
How Many Low-priced Units Are in Greater Victoria? Source: Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation. (2006-2012). Rental Market Survey and Pauly et al., 2013.
“I was in the city twenty years, I only lived in two places, until they started to increase the rent and we got pushed out because of the rent increase, I couldn’t afford to live there anymore So, so I got pushed out of my home and just months later I was homeless for fifteen months ….so that’s what happened to me.” – Dee Source: Pauly et al., (2013) Facing Homelessness, Greater Victoria Coalition to End Homelessness and CARBC.
Housing Registry: 1477 People Housing Registry Applicant Households by Type (Snapshot as of March 31, 2013) *Housing Registry statistics are based on a snapshot of those on the waitlist on the last day of the fiscal year. Source: BC Housing, Operations Branch, Housing Services Reporting, 4th Quarter Activity - March 31, 2011-2012.
“So you gotta toss up whether you pay your bills, your hydro this month or you eat some food or you give up food to pay your hydro.” - Dee Source: Food Banks Canada. (2012). Hunger Count 2012: British Columbia Summary of Findings.
Subsidized Units/Rental Supplements In 2012/13, • NOnew subsidized units have been added for homeless or Aboriginal peoples. 88 were added for families and seniors but some units deactivated. • NOnew funding for rent supplements for homeless individuals. Current Total: 150 Source: BC Housing. (2013). Homelessness Services System.
Eroding Foundations…. • Withdrawal of federal government e.g. CMHC • Privatization of Housing Market (1993) • Rising Market Rents • Aging Housing Stock • Loss of Affordable Housing stock (Gentrification)
Income Policies • Welfare Reform (2002) • Minimum Wage • Employment Trends • Deinstitutionalization
The “New Poverty” “Homelessness is a result of a series of ‘dehousing’ policies” Hulchanski, 2005
Re-Building the Foundation • Increase Rent Supps • Raise BC Housing Shelter Allowance • Increase # of Subsidized and Supportive Units • Broaden Reach of Rental Assistance Programs • National Housing Strategy • Housing First: Evidence Based and Effective. • Cooperative Housing
Thank you! website: www.carbc.caemail: carbc@uvic.caBlog: www.carbc2300.wordpress.com carbc_uviccarbc.uvic