Over 30% of Income Spent on Housing

Average rent in Canada is $2,000/month, but less in Niagara

A new poll suggests the rising cost of living is having a significant impact on housing in Ontario. 

The study, which was conducted by the Ontario Real Estate Association, indicates about two-thirds of Ontarians are spending over 30 percent of their household budget on housing. 

This comes after the National Rent Report released data last week suggesting that the average cost of rent across the country rose to over $2,000 a month in November. 

Jeff Sinclair, a Homeless Action Plan Advisor for the Niagara Region notes about 26,000 households in Niagara are spending over 30 percent of their income on housing, and he says in order to address the issue of homelessness, there needs to be a real focus on affordable housing and poverty.

"As we see the cost of living rising and incomes and social assistance rates stagnant, than that's a significant contributor. So we need to address the housing affordability side and the poverty and income side of it."

Sinclair also says while homelessness in Niagara is gradually increasing, rent prices in Niagara are not as high as the national average.

"The going rate for a bachelor unit in St. Catharines this month is around $1,200-$1,300, ranging up to $2,600 for a four or three bedroom. So we're generally a little bit lower than that. St. Catharines has been hovering around ninth or tenth most expensive rental market in Canada."

Meanwhile, Niagara Regional Housing CEO Donna Woiceshyn says the federal, provincial and municipal levels of government can help tackle the issue and prevent homelessness by investing more money in affordable housing. 

"More capital money is needed to help build new affordable units. It's hard to get a developer interested in building affordable units and keep the rents low with the costs the way they are now to develop affordable housing and allow developers to still make profits."

Sinclair advises if you know someone who is at risk of becoming homeless, you can find out about supports available in Niagara by calling 211.