2023 National Housing Day: Housing affordability remains a top concern in Ottawa and across the country.
For the second year in a row, Habitat for Humanity Canada has released a national survey revealing Canadians’ attitudes towards the affordable housing crisis in Canada and sheds light on the growing barriers to housing and homeownership.
The 2023 Affordable Housing in Canada Survey finds affordable housing is again a top concern for Canadians alongside inflation and access to healthcare. It is becoming increasingly difficult for Canadian homeowners and renters to juggle the increased cost of living – and many are reaching their breaking point.
In Ontario, 83% of people believe that owning a home can create more stability in their life and 84% believe that owning a home can strengthen their financial future. Even still, the overwhelming majority of Ontario residents agree that the goal of owning a home in Canada is becoming harder and harder to reach.
The increasing affordable housing crisis in Ottawa
In Ottawa, there continues to be a 5+ year waiting list for community and Social Housing and nearly half of Ottawa families are paying over 30% of their income towards housing-related bills. As those numbers continue to rise, local families need long-term and sustainable housing options in order to build a better future for themselves and their children.
For 30 years, Habitat Greater Ottawa along with Habitat partner families, donors, community partners and volunteers have helped build affordable homes that provide a solid foundation for local families. Since 1993, we’ve served 93 families including over 200 children and this past fall we broke ground on a 15-unit development, Kemptville Korners, in partnership with Habitat for Humanity Thousand Islands. Each Habitat for Humanity home generates $175,000 of benefits to society* stemming from a reduction in the reliance on social housing and food banks, better educational, financial and employment outcomes and improved health and wellbeing overall.
Click here to learn more about our Kemptville Korners Development.
Help local families today and for the future
For three decades we have seen firsthand the transformative impact owning a Habitat home has on families, their children and in building a healthier, stronger community. Habitat Greater Ottawa families like Carlos and Eva, moved into their Habitat home 17 years ago and were able to not only support their children through post-secondary education, but pay off their mortgage and build up a nest egg after a lifetime of hard work.
“When we moved into our Habitat home, you could see the change in my parent’s health, happiness and overall wellbeing.”
– Diana, child of Habitat Homeowners
We need your help to continue to grow the number of homes we build for local families. On National Housing Day, here are ways you can show your support:
- Click here to donate Habitat Greater Ottawa this holiday season and give the gift of home for local families.
- Get your company or organization involved in a Habitat Build Day! Email Shawna Blanchard at sblanchard@habitatgo.ca to find out more information on scheduling and participation fees.
- Shop at our Habitat ReStores this holiday season. All proceeds from sales go directly into supporting Habitat Greater Ottawa. Click here to visit ReStore Online.
- Write to your Ottawa City Councillor and Member of Parliament advocating for more affordable housing options and access in the city.
- Click here to volunteer for Habitat Greater Ottawa on the build site, ReStore, or at events
- Spread the word about Habitat Greater Ottawa, follow us on social media and share our posts to your networks.
Click here to follow us on Facebook.
Click here to follow us on LinkedIn.
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Please see the infographic below for more Affordable Housing in Canada Survey findings. Click here for more information Habitat Canada’s National Housing Survey.
* 2015 study conducted by the Boston Consulting Group (BCG)
