Housing is a social determinant of health. Housing refers to dwelling places on a continuum from homelessness to affordable home ownership. Homelessness is defined as the experience of people when they are:
- living on the street or in an unfit, substandard or unsafe place not meant for "human habitation";
- staying in an emergency shelter;
- staying in temporary and insecure housing; or
- at risk of homelessness.[1]
Why is this important?
The affordability, size, and condition of a person's home impacts their physical and mental health.[2] When people spend most of their money on housing, they may have difficulty paying for all other basic necessities, including food, clothing and school supplies. Homes that are not in good condition may contain mold or pests, or have safety hazards, which increases the risk of both chronic disease and injury.[3] Infectious diseases spread more quickly when many people live together in cramped quarters.[3] People who are homeless are more likely to have poor physical and mental health, to contract infectious diseases and to suffer injuries related to substance use.[4]
Indicators
Homelessness |
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People may experience different types of homelessness:[5,6]
Measures
Why is Homelessness Important?The majority of people who experience homelessness experience it as a one-time event. The likelihood of experiencing the negative impacts of homelessness increases the longer a person is homeless.[6] Homelessness contributes to a higher risk of social problems and involvement in criminal activity. It is also connected to poor physical and mental health, and increases in hospital, shelter and prison stays.[4,10] People who are homeless have a higher risk of dying than the general population.[11] Homelessness is also connected to stress, poor hygiene, lack of sleep, injuries, chronic conditions caused by malnutrition and to a higher likelihood of experiencing violence or trauma.[10] |
Housing Need |
Measure: Core Housing NeedPeople are in core housing need when their home is not adequate, suitable, or affordable and they must spend 30% or more of their before-tax income to cover the cost of their housing. A home is adequate when no major repairs are needed; it is affordable when it costs less than 30 per cent of a household's income before tax; and it is suitable when it has enough bedrooms for the people who live there. People who spend 30% or more of their income on housing but have enough income to find other housing that is suitable and adequate are not in core housing need.[12] The tables below present the percent of households in core housing need in Guelph, Centre Wellington, Ontario and Canada. Key Findings (All Households)In 2016, there were fewer households in Guelph (11.8%) and Centre Wellington (6.5%) living in core housing need when compared to Ontario (15.3%) and Canada (12.7%).
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Source: Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (Census-based housing indicators and data) Key Findings (by Owner and Renter Status)Renters were much more likely to live in core housing need when compared to home owners. In Guelph and Centre Wellington 5% and 2.9% of home owners, respectively, lived in core housing need compared to 26.5% and 23.1% of renters, respectively.
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Source: Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (Census-based housing indicators and data)Key Findings (by Household Type)Recent immigrants in Centre Wellington and Ontario were most likely to live in core housing need when compared to all other household types. In Guelph and Canada, female lone-parents were most likely to live in core housing need.
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Source: Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (Census-based housing indicators and data) *The term "Indigenous Households" has been used to replace the term "Aboriginal households" which was the terminology used in the source data. An Indigenous Household is where at least 50% of residents or one spouse in a couple or a sole parent identify(ies) as indigenous. **Recent immigrants arrived in Canada between January 1, 2011 and May 10, 2016 (within the 10 year period before data above was collected). ***An immigrant household is where the person who pays the main household costs is or has been an immigrant or permanent resident. ****Activity Limitations include mental or physical health challenges that make it difficult for people to "carry out daily activities", such as communicating or walking. A household with activity limitations refers to a "household with at least one person with activity limitations" Sources for definitions above can be found in downloadable excel spreadsheet below. Why is Housing Need Important?Housing affects physical and mental wellbeing.[2] Everyone should have access to a home that is affordable, big enough to fit the number of people who live in the household, and in good condition.Looking for more information?Please download the Excel file below: |
Rental Vacancy |
Measure: Vacancy RateVacancy rate is the proportion of all rental units that are not occupied and are available for rent. Once a year, vacancy rate information is gathered through telephone interviews and site visits that take place during the first two weeks of October in urban areas with a population of 10,000 people or more.[13] Note: Vacancy rates displayed below include information on rental apartment structures and rental row (townhouse) structures. To see individual vacancy rates for rental apartment structures and rental row (townhouse) structures, please see the downloadable dataset below. Key FindingsIn October 2021, the average apartment/row vacancy rate (for all bedroom types) in Centre Wellington was 0.8% and the average apartment/row vacancy rate in the Guelph CMA was 1.9%. From 2012-2021, the average vacancy rate in October in Centre Wellington ranged from 0.0% to 2.4%. Over the same period, the average vacancy rate in the Guelph CMA ranged from 0.9% to 2.1%. Overall, average vacancy rates in both communities have been consistently lower than the minimum 3% vacancy rate that is considered an indicator of a healthy rental market.[14,15] Note: The 2020 data for Centre Wellington should be interpreted with caution due to low reliability.
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*The Guelph CMA includes the City of Guelph, Puslinch, and Guelph/Eramosa Township.Source: Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation. (2022). Primary Rental Market Vacancy Rate (%). https://www03.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/hmip-pimh/en#Profile/35/2/Ontario (accessed June 15, 2022). This information is reproduced and distributed on an “as is” basis with the permission of CMHC.Why is the Vacancy Rate Important?The vacancy rate provides an indication of the amount of rental units available. When vacancy rates are low (below 3%) it can be difficult for people to find affordable housing that meets their needs. LimitationsThe vacancy rate only includes structures that are considered part of the primary rental market (buildings with three or more rental units that are not owned as condominiums).[13] The secondary market, which includes all rental units not included in the primary rental market, is not included in the data above. A 2017 report indicates that 45% of rental units in the City of Guelph are part of the secondary market.[16] Looking for more information?Please download the excel file below for:
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References
[1] Canadian Observatory on Homelessness. (2012). Canadian Definition of Homelessness. Homeless Hub. www.homelesshub.ca/homelessdefinition/
[2] Public Health Agency of Canada. (2009). Report: The state of Public Health in Canada 2009. http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/cphorsphc-respcacsp/2009/fr-rc/cphorsphc-respcacsp07-eng.php
[3] Krieger, J., & Higgins, D. L. (2002). Housing and Health: Time Again for Public Health Action. American Journal of Public Health, 92(5): 758-768.
[4] Wellesley Institute. (2010). Precarious Housing in Canada. http://www.wellesleyinstitute.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/Precarious_Housing_In_Canada.pdf
[5] Government of Canada. (2016). Homelessness Partnering Strategy Directives. https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/services/funding/homeless/homeless-directives.html#d1
[6] Gaetz, S., Donaldson, J., Richter, T., & Gulliver, T. (2013). The State of Homelessness in Canada 2013. Toronto: Canadian Homelessness Research Network Press.
[7] County of Wellington Housing Services. (2021). Guelph-Wellington 2021 Everyone Counts. https://www.wellington.ca/en/social-services/hs-2021-pit-count.aspx
[8] Ellery, R. (2018). Everyone Counts: 2018 Guelph-Wellington Point-in-Time Count. Guelph, ON: Guelph & Wellington Task Force for Poverty Elimination. https://www.gwpoverty.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Everyone-Counts-2018-Point-in-Time-Count.pdf
[9] County of Wellington. (n.d.). Homelessness and housing stability. https://www.wellington.ca/en/social-services/hs-housing-stability.aspx#What-is-a-By-Name-List-BNL-
[10] Eberle, M., Kraus, K., Serge, L., & Hulchanski, D. (2001). Homelessness - Causes & Effects. The Relationship between Homelessness and the Health, Social Services and Criminal Justice Systems: A Review of the Literature. British Columbia Ministry of Social Development and Economic Security. http://www.urbancentre.utoronto.ca/pdfs/researchassociates/4_vol_report/Vol1.pdf
[11] Hwang, S.W. (2001). Homelessness and Health. Canadian Medical Association Journal, 164(2): 229-233.
[12] Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation. (2014). Housing in Canada Online - Definitions of Variables. https://cmhc.beyond2020.com/HiCODefinitions_EN.html#_Core_Housing_Need_Status
[13] Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation. (2022). Methodology for Rental Market Survey. https://www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/en/professionals/housing-markets-data-and-research/housing-research/surveys/methods/methodology-rental-market-survey
[14] Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation. (2016). Housing Market Information: Rental Market Report Guelph CMA.
[15] Shapcott, M. (2010). Painfully Low Vacancy Rates, Shrinking Number of Homes: New National Report Underlines Rental Housing Woes Across Canada. http://www.wellesleyinstitute.com/housing/painfully-low-vacancy-rates-shrinking-number-of-homes-new-national-report-underlines-rental-housing-woes-across-canada/
[16] City of Guelph. (2017). Affordable Housing Strategy: The Current State of Housing in the City of Guelph. https://guelph.ca/wp-content/uploads/AHSFinalConsolidationJuly242017.pdf