Metro Vancouver is the eviction capital of Canada, first-of-its-kind study suggests
British Columbia's most populated region holds a new undesirable title as the eviction capital of Canada.
That's according to a new study out of the University of British Columbia, which attempts to highlight the extent of the housing and affordability crisis in Metro Vancouver.
The research, published this month by Silas Xuereb with the title "Understanding Evictions in Canada through the Canadian Housing Survey," backs what many renters have been saying for years, but it's the first time a study like this has actually been conducted.
Xuereb, of UBC's Master of Arts in Economics graduate program, broke down eviction rates nationally, but also by region and demographic groups.
Supervised by UBC assistant professor Andrea Craig and Housing Research Collaborative research co-ordinator Craig Jones, Xuereb estimated 10.6 per cent of renters in B.C. have reported being evicted in a period of five years.
It's more than in any other province or territory in Canada, and far higher than the national average of 6.6 per cent.
Looking at the Vancouver area, the estimated rate was 10.5 per cent, which is significantly higher than other major cities including Toronto and Montreal.
It appears these evictions have been more heavily concentrated in the region's suburbs, including Surrey, Port Coquitlam and Maple Ridge, than in Vancouver itself and the closely surrounding cities.
According to the research, men are slightly more likely to be evicted than women.
The age group with the highest eviction rate observed was 45 to 54. According to the study, households with children are also more likely to be evicted than young adults and seniors.
Renters who identify as Indigenous, single parents and those who spend more than half of their income on housing are most at risk, according to Xuereb.
Additionally, renters whose last move was an eviction were found to have lower self-reported levels of health and mental health than others, as well as lower life satisfaction.
The research used data from the national Community Housing Survey, which was conducted in 2018, to estimate the percentage of renters who were evicted during a five-year period.
The study's author acknowledged limitations of the analysis, but said it represents "the first attempt" to estimate eviction rates by region and demographics in Canada.
He said the research is in line with what similar studies in the U.S. have found, suggesting his study could be used by policymakers even without further analysis.
Read more on the research and methodology on UBC's website.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
What to know about avian influenza in dairy cows and the risk to humans
Why is H5N1, or bird flu, a concern, how does it spread, and is there a vaccine? Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions about avian influenza.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
opinion The special relationship between King Charles and the Princess of Wales
Royal commentator Afua Hagan writes that when King Charles recently admitted Catherine to the Order of the Companions of Honour, it not only made history, but it reinforced the strong bond between the King and his beloved daughter-in-law.
Man convicted of involuntary manslaughter in father's drowning, told police he was baptizing him
A Massachusetts man who told police he was exorcising a demon and performing a baptism when he shoved his father's head under water multiple times has been convicted of involuntary manslaughter in his death.
New Norad commander calls Canada's defence policy update 'very encouraging'
American troops will be spending more time training in the Far North, the new commander of Norad says, a strategy that fits 'hand-in-glove' with Canada's renewed focus on Arctic defence.
$70M Lotto Max winners kept prize a secret from family for 2 months
During a special winner celebration near their hometown, Doug and Enid shared the story of how they discovered they were holding a Lotto Max ticket worth $70 million and how they kept this huge secret for so long.
Are Canadians getting sick from expired food?
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
Documents reveal Ottawa's efforts to get Loblaw, Walmart on board with grocery code
It was evident to the federal government as early as last fall that Loblaw and Walmart might be holdouts to the grocery code of conduct, jeopardizing the project's success.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.