Skip to content
site logo Canada Mortgage
and Housing Corporation
  • Sign In or Register
  • FRANÇAIS
  • Hamburger Icon MENU
Hamburger Icon MENU
× FRANÇAIS
  • Home
  • Buying
    • Homebuying Step by Step
      • Decide if Homeownership is Right for You
      • Check if You are Financially Ready to Own a Home
      • Finance Your Home
      • Find the Right Home
      • Make an Offer and Close the Deal
      • Maintain Your Home and Protect Your Investment
    • Condominium Buyer's Guide
      • Chapter 1: Condominium Basics
      • Chapter 2: Condominium Governance
      • Chapter 3: The Pros and Cons of Condominium Ownership
      • Chapter 4: Buying a Condominium
      • Chapter 5: Checklists, Tips and FAQ's
      • Tips for Buying a New Condominium
      • Tips for Buying a Resale Condominium
      • Checklist for Buying a New Condominium
      • Checklist for Buying a Resale Condominium
      • Condominium Purchase and Recurring Costs
      • Physical Evaluation Checklist (For Resale Units)
      • Questions to Ask Advisors and Condominium Experts
      • Frequently Asked Questions
      • Glossary
      • Provincial and Territorial Fact Sheets
        • Alberta Fact Sheet
        • British Columbia Fact Sheet
        • Manitoba Fact Sheet
        • New Brunswick Fact Sheet
        • Newfoundland and Labrador Fact Sheet
        • Northwest Territories Fact Sheet
        • Nova Scotia Fact Sheet
        • Nunavut Fact Sheet
        • Ontario Fact Sheet
        • Prince Edward Island Fact Sheet
        • Quebec Fact Sheet
        • Saskatchewan Fact Sheet
        • Yukon Fact Sheet
    • Financial Information and Calculators
      • Mortgage Fraud
      • Mortgage Planning Tips
      • Plan and Manage Your Mortgage
      • Your Credit Report
      • Government of Canada Programs to Support Homebuyers
      • Your Home Value
    • Seniors Housing
      • Housing options for Seniors
      • Housing and Finance Tips
      • Mortgage Financing Options for People 55+
      • Preventing Fraud and Financial Abuse
    • Newcomers
    • Mortgage Loan Insurance for Consumers
      • COVID-19: Understanding Mortgage Payment Deferral
      • What is CMHC Mortgage Loan Insurance?
      • What are the General Requirements to Qualify for Homeowner Mortgage Loan Insurance?
      • FAQs — Mortgage Loan Insurance
      • CMHC Mortgage Loan Insurance Costs
      • CMHC Green Home
      • CMHC — Home Renovation Financing Options
  • National Housing Strategy
    • What is the strategy?
      • About the initiatives
      • How to apply
      • Help & Resources
      • Priority areas for action
      • Glossary
    • The First-Time Home Buyer Incentive
    • Shared Equity Mortgage Provider Fund
      • Preconstruction Loans
        Stream 1
      • Shared Equity Mortgages (SEM)
        Stream 2
    • Federal/Provincial/Territorial Housing Agreements
    • Federal Community Housing Initiative
    • Federal Lands Initiative
    • National Housing Co-Investment Fund
    • Rental Construction Financing
    • Affordable Housing Innovation Fund
    • Other funding and financing opportunities
    • The Community Housing Transformation Centre
    • Community-Based Tenant Initiative
    • NHS Demonstrations Initiative
    • Solutions Labs
      • Social Innovation Labs Resources
      • Solution Lab Consultant Information
    • Collaborative Housing Research Network
    • NHS Research and Planning Fund
    • CMHC Housing Research Scholarship Program
    • CMHC Housing Research Awards
    • Housing Supply Challenge
      • Round 1: Housing Supply Challenge
    • Rapid Housing Initiative
      • Rapid Housing Initiative Webinar
    • National Housing Conference
    • NHS Housing Needs Data
    • College of Reviewers
  • Renting
    • COVID-19: Eviction Bans and Suspensions to Support Renters
    • COVID-19: CECRA for small businesses
    • I Want to Rent
      • Things to Consider Before Renting
      • Types of Housing for Rent in Canada
      • Finding or Advertising a Rental Property
      • Visiting the Rental Property
      • Lease and Rental Agreements
      • Signing the Lease
      • Credit Checks and Bad Credit
      • Rental Payments and Deposits
      • Roommates and Pets
    • I Am Renting
      • Moving Day
      • Landlord/Tenant Responsibilities
      • Inspections
      • Maintenance & repairs
      • Complaints & evictions
      • Rent Increase
      • When you can't pay Rent
      • Renewing or terminating the lease
      • Moving Out
  • Developing and Renovating
    • Funding Opportunities
      • First Nations Development Funding
        • Direct Lending Program for First Nation Communities
        • Funding Opportunities Tool for Indigenous Housing
        • Insured Loans for On-Reserve First Nation Housing
        • On-Reserve Non Profit Housing Program (Section 95)
        • Proposal Development Funding (PDF) for First Nation Communities
      • On-Reserve Renovation Programs
        • Emergency Repair Program (ERP)
        • Home Adaptations for Seniors' Independence (HASI)
        • Residential Rehabilitation Assistance Program (RRAP) – Regular
        • Shelter Enhancement Program (SEP)
      • Seed Funding
      • Preservation Funding for Community Housing
      • COVID-19: Loan Payment Deferrals for Indigenous Clients
    • Testimonials
    • Develop New Affordable Housing
      • Manufactured Housing: Affordable Quality Homes
      • Programs and Information
        • About Affordable Housing in Canada
        • Affordable Housing in Canada's North
        • Affordable Housing Programs Across Canada
        • Reno/Retro 2016: Funding for Existing Social Housing
        • Housing Action Plans: A Guide for Municipalities
        • Development Checklist for Affordable Housing
        • Housing Development Resources
    • Indigenous Housing
      • Housing Internship Initiative for First Nation and Inuit Youth (HIIFNIY)
      • Indigenous Advisory Council
      • Our Work With First Nation Communities
      • Shelters Initiative for Indigenous Women and Children
        • Funding Available for Shelters On-Reserve
        • Shelters in the Territories
      • Keeper of My Home Learning Resource
    • Developing Sustainable Housing
      • Maintenance and Resource Efficiency for Buildings
      • Webcast: Advancing Sustainable and Affordable Housing in Canada
      • Energy and Water Savings Case Studies
    • Accessible and Adaptable Housing
      • Universal Design for New Housing Units
      • Secondary Suites
      • Accessible Housing by Design
      • Aging in Place
        • Aging in Place Success Stories
        • Housing a Senior Population: The Economic and Social Benefits
        • Hiring a Contractor
      • Universal Design and Adaptable Housing Models
    • Provincial/Territorial Agreements
      • Bilateral IAH Agreements and Public Reporting
      • National IAH Funding Table
      • Investment in Affordable Housing (IAH)
    • External Links
  • CMHC Library
  • Managing and Maintaining
    • Managing Affordable Housing
      • Connect with a Housing Solutions Specialist – Multi-Unit
      • Affordable Housing Project Profiles
      • Housing Management Hub
        • Contractors and Suppliers
        • Evictions and Expulsions
        • Capital Replacement Planning
        • Governance for Housing Organizations
        • Steps for Managing Vacancies
          • Repair and clean the unit
          • Identify or Advertise for Applicants
          • Welcome new residents
        • Policy Information
          • Why are policies important
          • Policy Enforcement
          • Policies Your Housing Organization Needs
          • Developing Effective Policies
        • Tendering Contracts
    • Manage First Nation Properties
      • First Nation Housing Policies Development Guide
        • Decide if You Need a Written Policy
        • Research the Housing Policy
        • Write and Review the Housing Policy
        • Develop the Housing Policy Implementation Plan
        • Get Approval for the Housing Policy
        • Implement and Monitor the Housing Policy
        • Revise or Cancel the Policy as Required
      • Tenant Records
      • Building Code Compliance for First Nation Housing
      • Finances
        • Differences Between the On-Reserve Non-Profit Housing Program Pre-1997 and Post-1996
        • Understanding Operating Agreement Terms
      • Maintenance Solutions
        • How to Maintain a Heat Recovery Ventilator
        • Maintenance Planning Guide for First Nation Communities
        • Mould in Housing
          • Information for Occupants
          • Information for Housing Managers
          • Information for Builders and Renovators
          • Flood Cleanup and Mould Prevention
          • Mould Cleanup at a Glance: Infographic
          • Mould in Housing at Glance
      • Role of a First Nation Housing Manager
    • Maintenance Funding and Information
      • Governance and Finance Information Series
      • Loans Administration and Direct Lending
      • Off-Reserve Aboriginal Social Housing
      • Renovation Programs for On-Reserve Housing
      • Tendering Contracts Information Series
    • Co-operative Housing Guide
  • Data and Research
    • CMHC Reports Calendar
    • Publications and Reports
    • Housing Market Information Portal
    • Data Tables
      • Household Characteristics
      • Housing Market Data
      • Housing Market Indicators
      • Mortgage and Debt Data
      • Rental Market Data
    • Housing in Canada Online (HiCO)
    • Core Housing Need
    • Survey Notices
    • CMHC Library
    • Consumer Surveys
      • 2019 Mortgage Consumer Survey Results
      • 2018 Mortgage Consumer Survey Results
        • Homebuyers insights
        • Renewers insights
        • Refinancers insights
        • Financial Literacy
        • Affordability
        • Home financing choices
        • MCS blog
    • Survey Methods
    • CMHC Licence Agreement for the Use of Data
  • Finance and Investing
    • Insured Mortgage Purchase Program (IMPP)
    • COVID-19: CECRA for small businesses
    • Mortgage Loan Insurance
      • Mortgage Loan Insurance Homeownership Programs
        • CMHC Mortgage Loan Insurance Costs
      • Rental Housing Solutions
      • Contact Mortgage Loan Insurance
      • Homebuying Calculators
        • Mortgage Calculator
        • Affordability Calculator
        • Debt Service Calculator
      • The Resource
        • I Can’t Pay my Mortgage, What are my Options?
        • Home Buying Step by Step
      • Default, Claims and Properties for Sale
      • Mortgage Fraud
      • Underwriting Centre
      • Consumer Survey Results
      • NHA Approved Lenders
      • Calculating GDS / TDS
      • emili
        • emiliTRACKER
      • Client e-Update
      • Multi-Unit e-Update
      • Regional CMHC Industry Sessions
    • Canada Mortgage Bonds
    • NHA Mortgage Backed Securities
    • Canadian Registered Covered Bonds
      • How to Become a Registered Issuer
    • Blockchain in the housing industry
  • CMHC E-Newsletters
    • Affordable Housing E-newsletter
    • Housing Research E-newsletter
    • Indigenous and Northern Housing E-newsletter
    • Client e-Update
    • Multi-Unit e-Update
  • Careers
  • About CMHC
    • CMHC’s Story
    • Management and Governance
      • Board of Directors and Committees
      • Our Management Committee
      • Pension Governance
        • Pension Overview
        • Key Roles and Responsibilities
        • Annual Reports
    • Corporate Reporting
      • CMHC Annual Report
      • Program Evaluation
      • Joint Auditors Special Examination Report to CMHC Board 2018
      • Summary of the Corporate Plan
      • Quarterly Financial Reports
      • Transparency
        • Access to Information and Privacy Protection
        • Briefing Materials
        • Procurement
          • CETA
          • Disclosure of contracts over $10,000
        • Travel, hospitality and conference expenditures
          • Annual travel, hospitality and conference expenditures
      • CMHC’s Insured Mortgage Deferral
    • Contact Us
      • CMHC Departments
        • Connect with a Housing Solutions Specialist – Multi-Unit
        • Contact Mortgage Loan Insurance
      • Holiday Service Hours
    • Speakers Bureau
    • Careers
    • Partnerships
  • Housing Observer
  • Media Newsroom
    • Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update
    • Media Relations
 
  • Home Breadcrumb Chevron
  • Housing Observer

Housing Characteristics and Staying at Home

May 7, 2020

Save page to My Folder Share this page
Save Icon

SAVE TO MY FOLDER

Housing Characteristics and Staying at Home

SAVE
Close this Window   |   Manage my Folder
Save Icon

SAVE TO MY FOLDER

Housing Characteristics and Staying at Home

Done Done!
Close this Window   |   Manage my Folder
Share icon

Share via

  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Mail
  • Twitter
  • print
Share icon

Share via

  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Mail
  • Twitter
  • print
share icon

Mail-blue Share via Email

Did You Know?

You can include an email signature?

Register | Sign In

×
Google Captcha Loader
share icon

Mail-blue Share via Email

Done Done!
Close this window

Staying at home is essential to the COVID-19 response. Our homes have taken on an added importance in our lives. In fact, Statistics Canada’s Canadian Perspectives Survey Series indicated that 90% of respondents reported they were avoiding leaving their home as part of their COVID-19 response.

Survey sheds light on the challenges of staying at home

Spending lots of time inside can impact our lives in many ways.  Some of the more obvious challenges include:

  • getting enough physical exercise,
  • maintaining social connections, and
  • balancing our various routines while working from home.

These are just a few of the pressures highlighted in the survey responses.

Additionally, the research shows that confinement is stressful with 1/3 of Canadians reporting concerns about confinement and family stress. Staying at home poses other challenges in multi-unit buildings as tenants try to maintain a safe physical distance where there are shared spaces such as lobbies, elevators and laundry facilities.

Dwelling type and ownership provide a useful housing lens

In Canada’s large urban centres (Census Metropolitan Areas), 40% of households own and live in single-detached houses and 26% live in rented apartments. Data from the 2018 Canadian Housing Survey shows that these groups differ considerably across a variety of housing characteristics:

  • satisfaction with living space and indoor temperature varies across dwelling types and housing tenure
  • socio-economic vulnerabilities vary across dwelling types and housing tenure
  • households rating their general health as poor or fair may be at higher risk of having an underlying condition associated with vulnerability to Covid-19

Extended periods at home make the characteristics of your dwelling all-the-more important. Households in rented apartments appear vulnerable because they are more likely:

  • to express concerns about the characteristics of their dwelling, and
  • to be vulnerable in terms of finances, health or social contacts.

During Covid-19 and staying at home, municipalities, health agencies and property managers should be aware of overheating in units where tenants cannot control the temperature during a sustained heatwave. This may be due to lack of air-conditioning units, or the affordability of paying for the operation of a window air conditioner unit.

Tenants previously could go to parks or air-conditioned centres. Assuming the situation stays as is, they must stay at home short of “allowed exceptions”.  This could be uncomfortable and possibly dangerous for those being asked to stay home. Going outside for a walk in extreme heat is also risky for some.

Looking forward — reporting on the “new normal”

The Canadian Perspectives Survey responses of over 200,000 Canadians will be integrated with neighbourhood-level information. This will provide more direct evidence on the relationships between where people live and their Covid-19 outlooks and responses.

Canadian Housing Survey

This article relates to housing using data from the Canadian Housing Survey. The Canadian Housing Survey gathers information on the housing conditions of Canadian households every 2 years until 2028. CMHC is collaborating with Statistics Canada on this survey to leverage their resources and expertise in administering large household surveys across Canada, including in the north and remote regions of the country.

Learn more about housing characteristic and staying at home during the Covid-19 pandemic

Related links

  • National Housing Strategy
  • Housing Needs Data
  • Renting in Canada

Was this page relevant to your needs?

Thank you for your feedback!

Sorry to hear that! Can you tell us about the problem?

For further assistance, pleasecontact us

ThanksYour feedback has been submitted.

Discover related content using the tags below:

  • Affordable Housing
  • Affordable Rental Housing
Date Published: May 7, 2020
By Topic
  • Coronavirus (COVID-19) Updates
  • National Housing Strategy
  • Buying
  • Rental Housing
  • Developing and Renovating
  • Managing and Maintaining
  • Data and Research
  • Finance and Investing
About Us
  • CMHC's Story
  • Management and Governance
  • Partnerships
  • Corporate Reporting
  • Contact Us
  • Careers
More
  • CMHC e-Newsletters
  • CMHC Library
  • Housing Observer Online
  • Media Newsroom
  • CMHC on Twitter
  • CMHC on LinkedIn
  • CMHC on Facebook
  • CMHC on Instagram
  • CMHC on YouTube
Privacy Policy    |    Terms and Conditions    |    Transparency     Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) ©2021 
Canada
loader icon