Labour Market Outcomes and Incomes of Households in Core Housing Need

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Explore how the unique characteristics of different types of households in core housing need can inform future research and housing policy. Using 2016 Census data and 2020 Statistics Canada Report, this report analyzes the incomes and labour market outcomes of households in core housing need.

Key highlights

In 2016, nationally, the median income of households in core housing need was $23,227. Nearly 80% of these households were in the lowest income quintile (i.e. had a total before-tax household income below $35,808).

At the national level, about 60% of households in core housing need in 2016 were either one-person or couple-without-children households. The other household types that accounted for a significant proportion of households in core housing need were lone-parent (20%) and couple-with-children (15%) households.
Nearly half of all households in core housing need have a member in the labour force.

Discover other key insights in the report and their potential in developing tailored housing policies and programs that serve different vulnerable groups and household types.

This report is part of the Socio Economic Analysis series.

Author:: CMHC
Document Type:: PDF
Date Published:: June 3, 2021

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Core housing need and depth of need

A household is considered to be in core housing need if both:

its housing falls below at least one of the adequacy, affordability or suitability standards
it would have to spend 30% or more of its total before-tax income for alternative local housing that meets its needs

Depth of need is an affordability gap measure for households in core housing need. The gap is calculated by basing the difference between 30% of the core need income threshold and 30% of the household’s before-tax income.

It can also be calculated by determining if both:

a household lives in a dwelling that is suitable and adequate
if the reported shelter cost is less than 30% of the core need income threshold

The gap is the difference between 30% of before-tax income and reported shelter costs.

About CMHC Socio Economic Analysis

The socio economic analysis series are detailed, stand-alone research reports prepared by CMHC researchers. They present a focused analysis of housing and demographic or economic data and trends, such as core housing need among various populations in Canada.