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The Housing Trajectories of Refugees in Winnipeg: The First Three Years
Metropolis British ColumbiaPolicy Research Symposium
November 7th 2008
Presentation by
Tom Carter, with C. Polevychok,A. Friesen and J. Osborne
– Study Methodology
– Features of the study population
– Socio-economic and housing trajectories
– Policy suggestions
Presentation Outline
Study Methodology
– Winnipeg a component of a three city study
– Longitudinal (three years)
– Recently arrived refugees
– Personal interviews
– Document changes over time
Location of Sample Households in Winnipeg
Year One 75 interviews Year Two 55 interviews Retention Rate 73%
Year Three 39 interviewsRetention Rate 52%
Year Three Analysis compares the same households throughout
The Study Sample (Winnipeg)
Key Features of the Study Population
Year One
Year Two
Year Three
From Africa/Middle East 69% 70% 67%
Employed 49% 62% 72%
Average Shelter Costs/month $594 $639 $652
Difficulty Meeting Expenses 60% 49% 41%
Unable to Save Money 69% 54% 49%
Year One Year TwoYear Three
% Change Year One to Year Three
Under $20,000 29.4 28.6 14.7 -14.7
$20,000 - $29,999 52.9 34.3 23.5 -29.4
$30,000 - $39,999 17.6 14.3 26.5 +8.9
$40,000 - $49,999 2.9 14.3 17.6 +14.7
$50,000 + 0.0 8.6 17.6 +17.6
Total 34 35 34 —
Mean $23,636 $28,276 $35,411 +49.8
Median $23,208 $26,400 $30,570 +31.7
Improvements in Income
Declining Incidence of Poverty
Source of IncomeYear One
%Year Two
%Year Three
%
Percent of Households
- all income from Government Transfers
35 26 9
- no income from Government Transfers
24 31 35
- receiving Social Assistance 49 35 16
Average percent from Government Transfers
53 40 23
Employment Income as % of all income
37 56 68
Source: Sample Survey
Housing AffordabilitySpending 30% or More on Housing
Housing Design / Quality / Health Issues
Year One
%
Year Two
%
Year Three
%
Like size of place 38.5 74.4 82.1
Had only one bathroom 79.5 76.9 71.8
In good condition 73.7 56.4 66.7
Repair problems 26.3 43.6 33.3
Not safe for children 23.1 15.4 13.2
Contributes to health problems 28.9 10.5 10.3
Is Social Housing Better?
Household size
Year One (n=38)
Year Two
(n=34)
Year Three
(n=33)
Private Social Private Social Private Social
Proportion of sample 76.3 23.7 58.8 41.2 60.6 39.4
Meets NOS 48.3 55.6 65.0 78.6 65.0 69.2
Happy with home 62.1 87.5 85.0 78.6 90.0 69.2
Housing is safe 74.1 77.8 90.0 64.3 90.0 61.5
Neighbourhood is safe 69.0 55.6 80.0 77.8 90.0 62.5
Mean rent $585 $388 $617 $384 $642 $356
Homeownership Intentions
Year One
Year Two
Year Three
Like neighbourhood 76.3% 76.9% 71.8%
Do not feel safe 33.3% 14.7% 18.0%
Living in inner city 76.9% 61.5% 61.5%
Want to move to different neighbourhood
76.3% 57.9% 60.5%
Would prefer to live in non-inner city
77.3% 88.9% 87.0%
Neighbourhood Characteristics
• Property Management /Rights and Responsibilities
– the role of caretakers and landlords
– 54% found caretakers/landlords helpful in Year One,
increasing to 81% in Year Two
– lack of knowledge of rights and responsibilities
– language definitely affects this issue
Other Housing Characteristics
• Access to Loans and Credit
– lack of employment history
– lack of Canadian job history
– lack of credit history
– need for a co-signer
– some lenders are TOO generous
Other Housing Characteristics
Where Do I Find the Necessary Information?
– no single source of good!! reliable!! and current!! Information
– no “one stop shop”– Where do households get their information (Year Two)?
• 40% from family and friends• 17% from government agencies• 13% from real estate/rental agencies• 8% from walking/driving around
– sponsors much more prominent in Year One– BUT, is the information reliable/comprehensive?
Other Housing Characteristics
Mobility of Sample Households 2006 - 2007
Housing and the Resettlement Process
• Incomes have improved• Affordability has improved• Still some reliance on government transfers• Modest improvement in employment• Market conditions deteriorating• Issues of safety and security• Concerns with quality of housing• Poor knowledge of the market
Policy Recommendations
Community Resources• more resources and staff with different skill sets
for community organization
Education and Awareness• an organization with a mandate and resources
to provide comprehensive housing and neighbourhood information is required
• development and dissemination of educational material on tenant rights and responsibilities
• development of educational material for landlords and caretakers.
Policy Recommendations
Housing Supply• changes in unit size and design to meet needs
of new arrivals• review of eligibility criteria for public housing• development of more transitional housing• limits of occupancy time in transitional housing• the greatest priority is to increase the supply of
affordable housing
Policy Recommendations
Building Inclusive and Welcoming Communities• policies to encourage the development of safe,
inclusive and welcoming communities
Development of Comprehensive and Integrated Policy
• language proficiency facilitates access to better housing
• level of monetary support for new arrivals should be increased
Housing is only part of a complex set of factors that contribute to
successful integration
Conclusion
The trajectory is positive but problems remain
Will positive trajectory continue?
If successful integration from a housing perspective is achieving the circumstances of the host population, then refugee households still have to experience significant housing change and improvement