Housing Information Portal

This portal provides access to a range of information for non-metropolitan communities, in BC and Canada. It includes population and housing data for more than 60 communities.

Launched in 2022 by the Community Development Institute (CDI) at the University of Northern British Columbia, the research found here will be of significant interest to local governments, planners, developers, builders, and provincial governments.The data highlights the strong links between housing and economic development potential in non-metropolitan BC and Canada.

This portal contains detailed data reports, webinar recordings, conference presentations, and articles published in magazines and journals.

Be sure to check back regularly as new information will be added.

Reports

The following studies identify consistent patterns of housing issues across non-metropolitan BC and Canada and find that housing stock across the country no longer meets community needs and expectations. More data is needed to inform housing programs and policies that support the renewal of the existing housing stock and encourage new construction, and to help communities create service linkages where housing gaps have to be filled by service infrastructure.

Building Foundations for the Future: Housing Affordability, Income, and Vulnerability_2021 Census Data Edition

This report examines housing affordability and vulnerability in 38 BC communities that comprise the CDI's non-metropolitan BC housing sample. Using 2021 Census data, this report answer the question: "What happened for housing affordability and vulnerability during the COVID-19 lock-down?"

Building Foundations for the Future: Housing Affordability, Income, and Vulnerability_2016 Census Data Edition

This report examines housing affordability and vulnerability in 39 BC communities that comprise the CDI's non-metropolitan housing sample. Using 2016 Census data, this report found that, in over 28% of our non-metropolitan sample, renters were more vulnerable than renters in Vancouver.

Building Foundations for the Future: Housing, Community Development, & Economic Opportunity in Non-Metropolitan British Columbia

This report includes population and housing data for 39 non-metropolitan communities across British Columbia. The communities selected range in 2016 population size from 1,021 (Valemount) to 90,504 (Nanaimo).

Building Foundations for the Future: Housing, Community Development, & Economic Opportunity in Non-Metropolitan Canada

This report includes a selected sample of 26 non-metropolitan communities across Canada; two from each province and territory. The communities selected range in 2016 population size from 790 (Watson Lake, YT) to 63,260 (Medicine Hat, AB).

Building Foundations for the Future: BC Addendum

This data compilation is an addendum to the report on Canada and presents data tables for 14 British Columbia communities, which were part of the initial research sample.

Webinar Recordings

The CDI delivered series of webinars where each session focused on a specific region of the province with detailed information about population trends, housing stock, the housing market. The CDI discussed opportunities for the housing sector, challenges of meeting demand, and strategies that can result in more housing on the ground. Click on Watch Now to view the session of your choice.

Region	Webinar
Building Knowledge: Northeast BC	Watch Now
Building Knowledge: Northwest BC	Watch Now
Building Knowledge: Central BC	Watch Now
Building Knowledge: East Kootenays	Watch Now
Building Knowledge: West Kootenays	Watch Now
Building Knowledge: Okanagan	Watch Now
Building Knowledge: Vancouver Island	Watch Now

Presentations

The CDI presents research to various organizations and groups to create opportunities for discussions that build awareness and generate insight into housing issues in non-metropolitan British Columbia, Canada, and around the world. Here you will find the PPT slides for our non-metropolitan housing related presentations.

Presentation to the District of Invermere, Municipal Council

Presentation to the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, Board of Directors

Presentation to the Planning Institute of British Columbia, Conference, Whitehorse YT

Presentation to the Provincial Government of Ontario, Ministry of Housing

Articles and Media

The CDI's research on non-metropolitan housing across the country has been featured in magazines, journals, and the media, drawing attention to our recommendation for a more focused look at housing challenges, gaps, and opportunities across non-metropolitan British Columbia and Canada.

Strong links between housing and economic development shown in new online portal. (CKPG News, January 31, 2022)

New Information is Available to help More BC Communities with Housing. (Interview on CBC Daybreak North, January 28, 2022)

Lack of housing options hampering community development (Prince George Citizen Article - Jan 27, 2022)

CDI Portal highlights strong links between housing and economic potential (Prince George Daily News Article - Jan 27, 2022)

Lack of housing options hampering community development (Times Colonist Article - Jan 26, 2022)

Evicted after 10 years; PG man is latest victim to unstable rental market (CKPG News Clip, January 22, 2022)

What's behind increasing home values? (Interview on CBC Daybreak North, January 7, 2022)

Real Estate Report: With a push from COVID, the BC property market is reinventing itself. (BC Business, October 2021)

Building Foundations for the Future in Non-Metropolitan Canada (Municipal World Fall 2020)

Not in Stock: The challenge of meeting housing market needs and expectations in non-metropolitan Canada (Plan Canada Fall 2020)

Leaving the City Behind: Is Housing in Non-Metropolitan B.C. Ready? (Planning West Fall 2020)

Funding for this research provided by: