National Housing Day and CFAA
On this National Housing Day, the Canadian Federation of Apartment Associations, wishes to recognize what we have in Canada’s housing sector, and what we still need to achieve.
What we have in Canada’s housing sector
- 92.3% of Canadian households live in adequate, suitable and affordable housing, or have it available to them. (In 2021, the rate of core housing need was 7.7%.)
- Canadians who rent have access to 1.2 million rental homes in large rental buildings in the purpose-built sector, a much larger percentage than in the OECD[1] (other than the United States, where the proportion is similar).
- Low-income Canadians who rent have access to 550,000 rental homes in community housing[2].
- Other than on indigenous reserves, very few low-income households in Canada are overcrowded (Canada’s rate is 1 out of 100 versus the OECD average of 16 out of 100!)
- In Canada, 65% of low-income private renters spend less than 40% of their income on rent, compared with only 54% in the US and 47% in the UK.
- In Canada, the OECD reports a homelessness rate of 0.36% in comparison with 0.33% in Sweden, 0.48% in Australia and 1.2% in England (the largest part of the UK).
- Canada’s private market rental housing sector supports the right to adequate housing.
- Canada’s renters have security of tenure, so that they cannot be evicted
- Unless there is a cause specified by provincial law (such as not paying their rent or seriously disturbing other tenants), and
- Unless the landlord follows the legal process specified by provincial law.
What we still need to achieve
- Improved housing affordability for low-income people.
- Improved housing affordability for those wishing to enter homeownership.
- The elimination of chronic homelessness.
- Improved housing for indigenous people, both on and off-reserve, in collaboration with indigenous communities.
Krish Vadivale, CFAA Board Chair, says, “Most existing housing issues will be helped by an increased supply of housing, including more housing in all tenures and at all price points.”
John Dickie, CFAA President, says, “A more positive political and economic environment for rental housing providers of all sizes tends to increase rental supply, foster competition, improve rental quality and moderate rents. Unfortunately, a hostile environment works in the operate direction.”
For more information, contact CFAA at admin@cfaa-fcapi.org.
View CFAA’s Press Release for background information.