The "Abbotsford Housing Needs Report (2021)," commissioned by the City of Abbotsford and developed by HelpSeeker Technologies, provides a thorough analysis of Abbotsford’s housing landscape, identifying current and anticipated housing challenges, demographic trends, and actionable insights to guide the city's housing strategies through 2026.
Key findings and insights from the report include:
Population and Demographic Trends:
- Abbotsford has experienced consistent population growth, projected at an average rate of 1.5% annually through 2026, significantly impacting housing demand.
- The senior population is rapidly growing, expected to comprise 20% of Abbotsford residents by 2026, increasing the need for specialized and accessible housing solutions.
- Abbotsford has a notably diverse community, with visible minorities accounting for over 33% of the population, predominantly from South Asian backgrounds, requiring culturally informed housing strategies.
Economic and Housing Affordability:
- Housing affordability is declining as housing prices rise faster than median incomes, particularly impacting renters and low-to-moderate-income households.
- Between 2015 and 2020, rental prices surged, notably a 48% increase for three-bedroom units, exacerbating affordability challenges amid historically low vacancy rates.
Core and Extreme Housing Needs:
- Over 13% of Abbotsford households are in core housing need, with renters, single-parent households, seniors, and Indigenous populations disproportionately affected.
- Extreme core housing need (households spending over 50% of income on shelter) has increased by 11%, highlighting urgent housing support and intervention requirements.
Specialized Housing Requirements:
- Increasing senior and disability populations necessitate greater availability of accessible housing. Special needs housing availability has decreased, creating a critical gap.
- Indigenous families in Abbotsford face particular challenges, including larger family sizes and multi-generational living arrangements, requiring larger, affordable homes that are currently scarce.
Rental Housing:
- Rental demand is significantly outpacing supply, particularly for households earning between $40,000 and $60,000 annually, with a projected need for at least 761 additional affordable rental units by 2026.
Homelessness Trends:
- Homelessness is rising sharply, with a 21.5% increase from 2017 to 2020, influenced by a severe shortage of affordable housing and escalating housing costs.
Community Engagement and Recommendations:
- The report underscores the necessity of inclusive, culturally sensitive community engagement to accurately address diverse housing needs.
- Recommendations include increased development of affordable rental housing, enhanced senior and special needs housing, support for Indigenous housing requirements, and the implementation of targeted housing affordability measures.
Ultimately, this report serves as a critical resource for Abbotsford, guiding proactive policy decisions and strategic actions to foster sustainable, affordable, and inclusive housing development, addressing urgent community needs now and into the future.
Read Full Report:
https://hubs.ly/Q01VmXMm0
