Nearly half (45%) of Canadians reported being very concerned about housing affordability because of the rising costs of housing or rent, according to the most recent cycle of the Canadian Social Survey (CSS) – Quality of Life, Health, and Housing Costs. However, Canadians face many other housing challenges beyond affordability, including suitability, condition and experiences of discrimination when seeking housing.
According to the National Housing Strategy Act, everyone in Canada is equally entitled to access housing that meets basic conditions. These conditions require housing to be secure, affordable, habitable, accessible and culturally appropriate, while providing basic services and being in a location that is safe and allows engagement with local economies and services.
This release uses new data from the latest cycle of the CSS, collected from August 2 to September 15, 2024. It examines the prevalence of a wide variety of housing challenges in Canada, as well as the quality of life of people experiencing at least one of these housing challenges.
Contact information
For more information, or to enquire about the concepts, methods or data quality of this release, contact us (toll-free 1-800-263-1136; 514-283-8300; infostats@statcan.gc.ca) or Media Relations (statcan.mediahotline-ligneinfomedias.statcan@statcan.gc.ca).