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CHF Canada media release
 Previous release Media release index Next release June 4, 2008 – The new 2006 census data released today on homeownership and shelter costs shows that the number of Canadians paying 30 per cent or more of their household income on shelter has increased. Many of these are homeowners, but 1.5 million renters pay 30% or more of their income on housing. Statistics Canada’s newly released figures show this percentage has risen since the last census in 2001, the Co‑operative Housing Federation of Canada (CHF Canada) said today. “The increase in the percentage of Canadians paying more than they can afford for housing is a clear indicator that housing conditions for low-income Canadians will not improve until there is a cohesive national plan of action,” said Nicholas Gazzard, Executive Director. “Today’s census figures paint a picture of the failure to provide affordable housing to thousands of Canadians across the country,” said Gazzard. “Things have grown worse, not better since the 2001 census despite years of economic growth in Canada” The new data reveals that several segments of the population are struggling to pay for housing. In 2006, 40.3 per cent of all renter households were paying more than 30% of their income on rent. More than half of all renters living alone pay more than 30% of their income on housing. This figure has increased since 2001, from 50.1 to 51.6 %. The report also shows that immigrant households faced higher increases in shelter costs than the Canadian-born population, but lower increases in income. “Today’s newly released data indicates that lower-income Canadians are struggling more than ever to pay for their housing. Ottawa needs to take a leadership role in developing a national affordable action plan, in consultation with the provinces, territories, municipalities and major housing stakeholder groups, said Gazzard. “The Conservative government has been in power for nearly two and a half years, and the number of Canadians paying more than they can afford on housing has increased. A positive first step would be for the federal government to provide some predictability for affordable housing providers, such as non-profit housing co‑operatives, and immediately renew the major national housing programs that are set to expire on March 31, 2009, less than one-year from now.” For more information, contact: Nicholas Gazzard, Executive Director (613) 230-2201 ext. 230, or (613) 293-8913 (cell) Merrilee Robson, Program Manager, Communications, 1-877-533-2667, ext. 122, or (604) 512-2696 (cell) |
