Gross Shelter to Income Ratio

Definition:

Percent of households spending 30% or more of income on gross rent and percent of households where owner’s major payments as a percentage of household income exceeds 30% 

Methods and Limitations:

Shelter-cost-to-income ratio – Refers to the proportion of average total income of household which is spent on shelter costs.

Shelter-cost-to-income ratio is calculated for private households living in owned or rented dwellings who reported a total household income greater than zero.

Private households living in band housing, located on an agricultural operation that is operated by a member of the household, and households who reported a zero or negative total household income are excluded.

For the 2016 Census, the relatively high shelter-costs-to-household income ratios for some households may have resulted from the difference in the reference period for shelter costs and household total income data. The reference period for shelter cost data is 2016, while household total income is reported for the year 2015. As well, for some households, the 2015 household total income may represent income for only part of a year.

For more information on household total income or shelter costs, refer to the Census Dictionary: Total income and Shelter cost

For the 2021 Census, government transfers include benefits from temporary federal, provincial and territorial government income programs intended to provide financial support to individuals affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and the public health measures implemented to minimize the spread of the virus (Census 2021 Metadata – Footnote 10 and 26). This financial support is accounted for in 2020 individual and household incomes.

COVID-10 benefits helped to offset losses in employment income among low wage earners, accelerate growth in household after-tax income, particularly among families with children, and reduce income inequality and the low-income rate. These impacts are not expected to continue in 2021 and 2022.

For more information, see Statistics Canada’s Pandemic Benefits Cushion Losses and Narrow Income Inequality

Sources:

Statistics Canada. 2022. (table). Census Profile. 2021 Census of Population. Statistics Canada Catalogue no. 98-316-X2021001. Ottawa. Released September 21, 2022.

Statistics Canada. 2017. Canada [Country] and Canada [Country] (table). Census Profile. 2016 Census. Statistics Canada Catalogue no. 98-316-X2016001. Ottawa. Released November 29, 2017.

Statistics Canada. 2013. Canada (Code 01) (table). National Household Survey (NHS) Profile. 2011 National Household Survey. Statistics Canada Catalogue no. 99-004-XWE. Ottawa. Released September 11, 2013.

Statistics Canada. 2007. Canada (Code01) (table). 2006 Community Profiles. 2006 Census. Statistics Canada Catalogue no. 92-591-XWE. Ottawa. Released March 13, 2007.

Data is updated on Vital Victoria as it becomes available from the data providers.

 
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Gross Shelter to Income Ratio in the Sustainable Development Goals

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11. Make cities inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable
11. Make cities inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable

11. Make cities inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable

Cities are hubs for ideas, commerce, culture, science, productivity, social development and much more. At their best, cities have enabled people to advance socially and economically.

However, many challenges exist to maintaining cities in a way that continues to create jobs and prosperity while not straining land and resources. Common urban challenges include congestion, lack of funds to provide basic services, a shortage of adequate housing and declining infrastructure.

The challenges cities face can be overcome in ways that allow them to continue to thrive and grow, while improving resource use and reducing pollution and poverty. The future we want includes cities of opportunities for all, with access to basic services, energy, housing, transportation and more.