Nearly half of Vancouverites concerned about paying rent or mortgage: survey

It appears those living in Vancouver are concerned about keeping a roof above their heads, according to a new survey.

The poll was conducted by Habitat for Humanity and Leger, and it found 49 per cent of Vancouverites are concerned about their ability to pay their rent or mortgage over the next year. Nationally, that figure was just 40 per cent.

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CEO for Habitat for Humanity in Greater Vancouver, Scott Fehrenbacher, says the results show the cost of housing is prioritized above some other pressing issues identified by Canadians.

“Across the country, the survey revealed that Canadians found inflation, health care, and housing affordability is the top three issues facing the country but in Vancouver, housing affordability was the second most important issue even ahead of health care,” he told CityNews.

“That doesn’t spell a lot of sense of stability or confidence as we move toward the next year.”

In addition to fears of affording rent or a mortgage, the survey also saw nearly half (49 per cent) believe there is “substantial opposition” to affordable housing in their community — the highest percentage of any Canadian city.

“If it’s not addressed, it will impact everybody at some level,” said Fehrenbacher. “Surveys suggested that people are worried about foreign buyers and also investors buying homes, but nothing more important than just a general shortage of affordable housing.”

The survey also found that 82 per cent of Vancouverites agree with the statement, “people worry about the impact of affordable housing on their property values and neighbourhood.” That number is also higher than the national rate of 71 per cent.

According to our Affordable Housing Survey 54% of Canadians feel that NIMBY sentiment is one of the main barriers to making affordable housing available. Let’s warmly welcome people who need safe & secure housing year-round. https://t.co/ZIz59Fojdmhttps://t.co/lR2ML3P0My pic.twitter.com/s3C3xRoanG

— Habitat for Humanity (@HabitatCanada) November 11, 2022

Overall, half of Canadians (54 per cent) agree that “Not in My Backyard,” or, “NIMBY” sentiments are one of the main barriers to making affordable housing available in neighbourhoods.

Fehrenbacher notes how an affordable housing building is currently being constructed in Coquitlam but says much more needs to be done at all levels of government to ensure more people can afford a place to live.

Metro Vancouverites share struggles of making rent

A report released last month by liv.rent outlined how renters in Metro Vancouver spend over half of their incomes on rent, far above the recommended 30 percent.

A thread on Reddit in response to CityNews’ story on the report has seen many people share how the high cost of rent affects their lives.

One person said renting puts them further in debt.

“While relying on disability benefits, my rent is actually more than 100 per cent of my income. Keeping a roof over my head alone is putting me further in debt every month,” said the poster.

Many others responded to the comment saying that they face similar struggles.

Another commenter said they have to work full-time while undergoing cancer treatments to keep affording rent.

Other posters point out how more than half of their income goes towards rent payments, calling 50 per cent a “luxury.”

The same liv.rent report said all of Canada’s most expensive cities are in B.C., with the average price for a one-bedroom apartment in Metro Vancouver sitting at $2,256 per month.

With files from Mike Lloyd