The article "Exiting homelessness: An examination of factors contributing to regaining and maintaining housing," released today, utilizes new data from the 2022 Canadian Housing Survey to describe factors associated with regaining and maintaining housing after episodes of homelessness. Select housing and well-being outcomes are also presented to highlight challenges that remain after regaining housing.
Overall, one in eight households report having experienced some form of homelessness previously
In 2022, 12.1% of households reported some form of homelessness experience in their lifetime. Hidden homelessness, which refers to individuals without permanent addresses who are provisionally accommodated (such as couch surfing), was experienced by 11.2% of households, while 2.6% of households reported they had experienced sheltered or unsheltered homelessness. A smaller proportion (1.6%) reported experiences of both hidden and sheltered or unsheltered homelessness.
One size doesn't fit all, but financial factors help most
In 2022, almost half (46.4%) of people cited more than one factor that, following their most recent sheltered or unsheltered homelessness experience, helped them regain and maintain housing. Nearly one-quarter (22.5%) cited three or more factors. This suggests that the needs of individuals can be complex and multifaceted.
Financial factors, particularly improving employment income for people experiencing sheltered or unsheltered (39.2%) and hidden (45.9%) homelessness, were the contributing factors to regaining housing most cited. Non-financial factors, such as accessing social services, locating more affordable housing and non-financial support from friends and family, also played an important role. Support from social networks, such as financial (22.9%) and non-financial (18.6%) support from friends and family, was also found to be particularly helpful in regaining housing for people with hidden homelessness experiences.
Overall, one in seven sheltered or unsheltered Canadians access subsidized housing
Among Canadians who experienced sheltered or unsheltered homelessness, in 2022, one in seven (14.8%) credited accessing subsidized housing with helping to end their most recent homelessness experience. This factor was much less prevalent for hidden homelessness exits (4.7%).
Women (22.4%) were more than twice as likely as men (8.0%) to exit sheltered or unsheltered homelessness through accessing subsidized housing.
Housing challenges can persist after exiting homelessness
Regardless of the factors contributing to regaining housing, other challenges can persist after homelessness. Less than one-third (31.3%) of people rehoused after experiencing sheltered or unsheltered homelessness were homeowners in 2022. The rate was higher for people who experienced hidden homelessness (43.9%), but the homeownership rates for both these groups were lower compared with those of people with no history of homelessness (68.6%).
In 2022, over half (51.2%) of people rehoused after experiencing sheltered or unsheltered homelessness did not live in acceptable housing, which refers to housing that is adequate, suitable and affordable. The rate was lower for people rehoused after experiencing hidden homelessness (43.2%) and those who accessed subsidized housing after a sheltered or unsheltered homelessness episode (37.5%).
Note to readers
The Canadian Housing Survey (CHS) provides information on how Canadians feel about their housing and how housing affects them. Information in the survey include core housing need; dwelling characteristics and housing tenure; perceptions of economic hardship from housing costs; support and childcare payments; dwelling and neighbourhood satisfaction; perceptions of neighbourhood issues and safety; housing moves including forced moves; community engagement; life and community satisfaction; self-assessed health; experience with homelessness; socio-demographic characteristics; and access to transportation.
Collection for the 2022 CHS took place from October 31, 2022, to March 31, 2023, in the 10 provinces. This release reflects the housing situation in the provinces only. The geographical boundaries for the CHS are those of the Standard Geographical Classification 2021.
Definitions
Unsheltered homelessness refers to people experiencing homelessness who are staying in sheltered locations or places not intended for human habitation (ex., streets, alleys, parks and other public locations, transit stations, abandoned buildings, vehicles, ravines and other outdoor locations).
Sheltered homelessness refers to people experiencing homelessness in emergency shelters (permanent or overflow beds). This includes shelters for all population groups, shelters for specific population groups (e.g., men, women, youth or families) or situations (e.g., extreme weather or crises) and domestic violence shelters.
Hidden homelessness refers to people experiencing homelessness who are staying temporarily with others (e.g., family or friends) without guarantee of continued residency or in short-term rentals with no security of tenure (e.g., paying for motels with income or savings).
Acceptable housing refers to housing that meets all three of the following standards:
1. Adequate: Housing is not in need of major repairs. Major repairs include defective plumbing or electrical wiring, or structural repairs to walls, floors or ceilings.
2. Suitable: There are enough bedrooms for the size and make-up of the resident households. This is according to the National Occupancy Standard requirements.
3. Affordable: The shelter-cost-to-income ratio is less than 30% of before-tax household income. The shelter-cost-to-income ratio refers to the proportion of the average total income of the household that is spent on shelter costs.
Reference
Definitions, data sources and methods: survey number 5269.
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).