Housing
Can people find rental housing? Is there adequate shelter for people who are homeless? What does it cost to buy a starter home?
Rental Vacancy - In 2007, the rental vacancy rate in Greater Victoria was 0.4%, the same as it was in 2006.
Social Housing Waitlist - As of March 2008, there were 919 families, 481 seniors, 437 people with disabilities, 42 single people and 13 people needing wheelchair access on the social housing waitlist in the Capital Region.
Rental Unit Availability - Greater Victoria had a net loss of 238 rental units between 2006 and 2007. Eleven bachelor apartments, 94 one-bedroom, 93 two-bedroom and 39 three-bedroom units were taken out of the market.
Household Spending on Shelter - In 2005, 43.9% of people renting shelter in Greater Victoria spent 30% or more of their income on it, compared with 43.7% in British Columbia and 40.3% in Canada. For homeowners in Greater Victoria, 20.9% spent 30% or more on their homes, compared with 22.8% in British Columbia and 17.8% in Canada.
Homeless Shelter Beds - On June 1, 2008, Greater Victoria had 334 beds in homeless shelters. Of these, 212 were temporary or short-term emergency beds and 122 were transitional in that they provide a longer length of stay and help build housing stability. On the same date in 2007, there were 207 beds in homeless shelters in Greater Victoria.
Homes on the Water - Victoria Harbour was home to 33 float homes and 29 live-aboards (vessels that are also home to their owner) in 2007.
Homes Requiring Major Repair – In 2006, 5.9% of homes in Greater Victoria required major repairs, considerably less than 7.5% of homes in Canada and 7.4% in BC.
View Graph from Report
Annual Income Needed for a Starter Home in Greater Victoria
> Source 1: Victoria Real Estate Board
> Source 2: Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
View Chart from Report
Rental Vacancy Rates in Canadian Cities Publishing Vital Signs, 2007
> Source: Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
