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Urban and Housing Issues in Canada

Urban and Housing Issues in Canada. Dr. Dale Anderson. Presentation Overview. Canada: Context Government and Shared Responsibilities Urbanism and Key Urban Issues General Housing Concepts Housing in British Columbia Housing Policy in B.C.

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Urban and Housing Issues in Canada

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  1. Urban and Housing Issues in Canada Dr. Dale Anderson

  2. Presentation Overview • Canada: Context • Government and Shared Responsibilities • Urbanism and Key Urban Issues • General Housing Concepts • Housing in British Columbia • Housing Policy in B.C.

  3. Late 15th century, British and French colonies on Atlantic coast • Eventually, United Kingdom gained territories • British North American Act of 1867 – three colonies formed Dominion of Canada • More colonies added to the self-governing dominion • 1931 Britain granted Canada full independence • 1982 – last ties dissolved • Aboriginal peoples were living in these colonies when Canada formed – still present today Context:History

  4. 10 provinces • 3 territories • 10 million square km (second largest country by area) • 35 million people • Border shared with United States (and France) • Vast majority of population live within 200 km of USA • Highly multicultural, especially major metropolitan areas Canada today

  5. Democratic constitutional monarchy • Head of State: Queen Elizabeth II • Head of Government: Elected Prime Minister • Federal government three branches • Executive • Legislative • Judicial • Federal, and provincial /territorial governments share responsibilities • Queen has representatives in Canada Government

  6. Shared responsibilities Federal Government Areas of Responsibility National defence Foreign affairs Employment insurance Banking Federal taxes Post office Fisheries Shipping, railways, telephones and pipelines Aboriginal lands and rights criminal law • Areas of law listed in the Constitution Act, 1867 • Generally affect the whole country • Sources of Revenue: Income tax, sales tax, corporate tax

  7. Shared responsibilities Provincial Government Areas of Responsibility Education Health care Some natural resources Road regulations Hospitals Federal Prisons Marriage Property and civil rights Agriculture and immigration shared with federal • Areas of law listed in the Constitution Act, 1867 • Generally affect individual provinces • Sources of Revenue: Income tax, sales tax, corporate taxes

  8. Shared responsibilities Municipal Government Areas of Responsibility Emergency Services (police, fire, ambulance) Local roads and infrastructure Water, sewer Community centres, libraries, swimming pools = typically • “Creatures of the provinces” • Powers as granted by province • Property taxes

  9. Shared responsibilities First Nations Areas of Responsibility Changing On reserve = federal responsibility Off reserve = provincial responsibility • Changing status • Band councils • Sources of Revenue: varies – primarily federal government

  10. Urbanism – Over time

  11. Urbanism Today • About 80% urban • 10 million in three metropolitan areas: • Toronto - 5M • Montreal - 3.5M • Vancouver - 2M

  12. Other Major Urban centres

  13. Urban Issues Major Issues Paradox Very high per capita income High ranking on Human Development Index High results for education, government transparency, civil liberties, quality of life, economic freedom • Urban sprawl • Municipal infrastructure: maintaining, renewing and costs of doing so • Housing: lack, affordability • Public transit and transportation • Climate change • Environmental quality • Immigration

  14. Housing in Canada Features Issues Affordability Rental: Lack of new, quality of stock Past development patterns and reliance on cars Homeownership vs rental patterns changing Energy and water efficiency and sustainability – compact communities • Market: ownership or rental • Social housing – rental • High homeownership rates historically (67-70%) • Homeownership increasing over past decades* • Major changes by federal government after WWII

  15. Partnering in social housing • Funding – e.g., early stages of affordable housing project • Financial assistance such as First-time Home Buyers Tax Credit or Home Buyers Plan (use funds from retirement savings) • Providing mortgage insurance (<20% down payment) • Research on the housing market via Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation • Exemptions from capital gains tax for principal residence Shared Responsibility: Federal Affordability Examples

  16. Regulation of real estate development and marketing • Home warranty insurance • Landlord-tenant relations • Overseeing land use planning and development finance • Funding public transit • Funding social housing programs and projects • Providing targeted rent supplements • Homeowner support – e.g., property-tax support, property tax deferment programs, first-time home buyers grant • Home adaptations for independence • Seniors Home Renovation Tax Credit • Building code for B.C. – example: options for secondary suites • Developing uniform technical standards that simplify building code compliance Shared Responsibility: Province Affordability Examples

  17. Regional growth strategies and community and neighbourhood plans – support affordable housing • Housing friendly regulatory environment (e.g., allowing secondary suites, density, good transit corridors, etc.) • Prezoning land • Property tax incentives for affordable housing • Streamlining development approval processes • Reducing permitting fees and development cost charges Shared Responsibility: Municipal Affordability Examples

  18. Housing concepts Core Housing Need • Adequate (repairs) • Suitable (size) • Affordable (<30% income)

  19. Housing in b.c. Key Features Issues Affordability becoming increasing concern Homelessness Large urban/industrial centres Supply, affordability, quality Sustainability features of building code • Private market provides most housing (95%) • Social/subsidized housing (5%) • Ownership and rental • Single detached housing predominates

  20. Housing affordability in BC City of Vancouver City of Victoria Single detached home ~ $750,000 CDN Average household income ~ $38,000 Renters ~60% • Single detached home ~ $1 million CDN • Average household income ~ $57,000 • Renters: ~ 52%

  21. Housing policy in b.c. Housing Matters B.C. Rent Control Rent control features: Increase of inflation + 2% Deregulation between tenancies Above-guideline increases possible Manufactured home parks – slight differences • Provincial housing policy document • Latest update 2014 • Main policy document • Implementation: BC Housing and partners • Philosophy of partnerships • housingmattersbc.ca

  22. Housing Continuum/Housing Spectrum

  23. Housing Policy in b.c. Strategy 1 Goals Increased housing supply for the homeless Homeless have improved access, choice and stability in social housing and private rental market • Stable housing with integrated supports for those facing homelessness

  24. Housing Policy in b.c. Strategy 2 Goals Manage social housing stock to ensure its stability and maximum potential • B.C.’s most vulnerable citizens receive priority for assistance • Frail seniors, mental illness, physical disability, drug/alcohol addictions, women and children fleeing violence, homeless and at risk of homelessness

  25. Housing Policy in b.c. Strategy 3 Goals A strong, self-reliant Aboriginal housing sector Through: Devolution of responsibility • Aboriginal housing need is addressed through a strong Aboriginal housing sector • Off-reserve housing • Aboriginals overrepresented in homelessness, core housing need

  26. Housing Policy in b.c. Strategy 4 Goals Increased supply, choice and improved accessibility of rental housing for low/moderate income households and vulnerable populations Streamlined systems for landlords and tenants • Low- to moderate-income households have improved access to affordable and stable rental housing

  27. Housing Policy in b.c. Strategy 5 Goals Effective systems that support consumer confidence Improved home inspector licensing • Homeownership continues to be a sound option for British Columbians

  28. Housing Policy in b.c. Strategy 6 Goals Safety risks are identified and managed properly Safety, economic and social interests are recognized, balanced and managed appropriately • B.C.’s governance framework for housing, building and technical equipment safety is clear, effective and balanced

  29. Housing First Strategy Housing First Strategy At Home/Chez Soi Study Housing First effective strategy $10 investment in housing services average savings of $9.60 for high needs participants and $3.42 for moderate needs • Shift in provision of housing to needy populations • Formerly: stabilize life, then eligible for housing • Housing First: No barriers to housing, provide supports

  30. Dale.Anderson@gov.bc.ca THANK YOU AND QUESTIONS

  31. Provincial players • Example • BC Housing • HPO • Real Estate Sector • Builders • Business • New home warranty program

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