NHS Housing Needs Data

Addressing housing data gaps and analyzing market conditions

As part of the National Housing Strategy (NHS) Housing Needs Data initiative, CMHC has launched 2 surveys. The surveys provide a more comprehensive picture of the state of community and affordable housing in Canada. These diverse sources of housing data are used to develop indicators to measure progress toward NHS outcomes.

Canadian Housing Survey

Starting in January, Statistics Canada will be conducting the second cycle of the Canadian Housing Survey (CHS), which collects valuable information about housing needs and experiences. The survey will be active between January 4^th and May 16^th although January 4^th to March 31^st for the North.

This information will be used to help understand and address issues such as access to affordable housing, and to improve housing conditions. Specifically, information from this survey will help us to understand:

if people are satisfied with their homes, their neighbourhoods and their communities
if those most in need are able to access affordable housing
how housing relates to the well-being of Canadians
the possible impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on housing needs.

The Canadian Housing Survey gathers information on the housing conditions of Canadian households every two 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.

Final results from the Canadian Housing Survey, 2018 (Statistics Canada)

First results from the Canadian Housing Survey, 2018 (Statistics Canada)

Canadian Housing Survey: A Profile of first-time Homebuyers, 2018 (Statistics Canada)

The 2018 Canadian Housing Survey microdata file (Statistics Canada)

Social and Affordable Housing Survey — Rental Structures

The Social and Affordable Housing Survey — Rental Structures collects information on the physical characteristics of the social and affordable housing stock. CMHC administers this survey every year.

First results from the Social and Affordable Housing Survey – Rental Structures, 2019

Understanding housing conditions and the needs of our most vulnerable populations will help us to better understand the impacts of the policies of the NHS over its 10 years. CMHC works with a wide range of partners to identify, communicate, and fill data gaps increasing the ability to develop housing policy in anticipation of changing housing needs, conditions and market forces.

Social Inclusion Projects related to the Canadian Housing Survey (CHS)

We are working with Statistics Canada on four projects related to social inclusion.

The Proximity Measures Database will help us understand how close Canadians live to:

employment
transit
childcare centres
grocery stores
health services (including hospitals
libraries
pharmacies
primary and secondary schools
municipal parks

The objective of the Indicators of Neighbourhood Income Mixing Project is to develop income-based measures of social mixing designed to measure the diversity of income levels across neighbourhoods and multi-unit apartment buildings. When linked to CHS responses, it will offer a new opportunity to examine the relationship between income mixing and policy relevant outcomes, such as dwelling and neighbourhood satisfaction.

The Social inclusion Index will provide a snapshot of Canadians’ feeling of inclusion. Specifically, in relation to where they live and whether they are experiencing financial difficulties.

The Historical Data of Income and Spatial Mobility Project will: