Housing Instability: Observations in Canada

Key findings

• The literature review showed the links between age, housing tenure and dwelling moves made by Canadians. Our analysis found that core housing need was a significant factor.
• The population between the ages of 25 and 44 are the most frequent movers. This movement corresponds with household formation and growth, education or training completion and career advancement or changes.
• Tenure type is a significant factor in individual and household displacement — market renters move much more frequently than owners.
• Nationally, households in social and affordable housing move the least frequently compared to households in market rentals and households with portable housing benefits. This result may be due to tighter market conditions nationally, making it more difficult to find similarly affordable units. There is significant variability by province.
• Households experiencing a mismatch between family size and the number of bedrooms also move more often than other households. The presence of mould or pests corresponds to increased moves, with the most movement seen in Québec and the Yukon.

Future research opportunities

• This research relied on the Canada Housing Survey cycle 1 dataset for its analytical source. Cycle 2 of the survey provides more information about negative or forced moves, like evictions. Analyzing the cycle 2 dataset may provide additional insight into the links between evictions, demographic information and housing quality and suitability.
• The data analysis is inconclusive about the reasons for recurring moves. Qualitative research could help fill the gaps in our knowledge about the lived experience of multiple moves. Questions that are not best answered in a closed-form survey could benefit from elaboration in interview and focus group settings.

Implications for the housing sector and housing policy

• Regulate inadequate housing and enable access to suitable housing solutions to support greater housing stability.
• Address affordability through multiple interventions to provide housing stability.
• Invest in landlord/ tenant resolution services and establish an evictions database to track and identify issues in evictions and landlord/ tenant relations.

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