Chapter 6 - What Type of Housing and Communities Are Young Children Living In?

6.1 Core Housing Need

"Core housing need" is a relative measure of the basic housing standards required for family dwellings in Canada. A designation of "core housing need" means that a family's housing was in need of major repair, crowded and/or unaffordable (more than 30% of pre-tax income spent on dwelling costs) and that alternative housing in the community meeting these standards was not affordable.

… A vast majority of young children live in homes that meet affordability, suitability and adequacy standards

In 2001, 84.2% of children from birth to 5 years of age were either living in homes or lived in households that have the means to access homes that meet the standards of affordability, suitability and adequacy. However, of those living in core housing need, the situation was far more pronounced for children living with a single-parent than for those living with both parents. 169,485 or 10.4% of all children living in two-parent families were identified as living in core housing need compared to 47.2% of all children living in one parent families — a total of 132,025 children.

There were also differences between owned and rented accommodation. In 2001, 6.2% of young children living in accommodation owned by their parents were in core housing need compared with 36.6% of children living in rental accommodation.

Of the children living in owned accommodation and with both parents, 5.1% are living in core housing need compared with 20.0% of children living in owned accommodation with a single-parent. Among children living in rental accommodation, 25.7% living with both parents are in below-standard housing compared with three-fifths (61.2%) of children living with a single-parent.

Why is this important?

The ability of young children to develop to their full potential depends on many influences, including living in a safe, secure and healthy home environment. The home is the primary setting for young children, from which they learn about themselves, their family, neighbours and community.⁸⁶ Crowded housing is associated with the spread of viral and bacterial infections, while housing requiring repair is associated with the risk of accidents and health issues such as asthma.⁸⁷

6.2 Neighbourhood Cohesion and Safety

... The majority of children live in communities that have a strong sense of cohesion and are safe

In 2002/03, 87.0% of children lived in communities with high levels of neighbourhood cohesion. This means that the parents of young children felt they lived in communities with a high level of social unity and with good neighbourly relations.

Low neighbourhood cohesion is more of an issue for families living in urban centres than in rural areas. In 1998/99, 15.8% of urban parents reported low neighbourhood cohesion compared with 10.6% of rural parents. By 2002/03, the urban rate had decreased to 13.5% and the rural rate to 9%.

In 2002/03, 77.9% of young children were reported to be living in communities that were deemed safe by the parent. This reflects an overall sense of safety in the neighbourhood where the child resides, and includes a feeling of comfort with neighbours as well as spaces designed for children (parks and playgrounds) within the surrounding area. This represents an increase from 2000/01, when the percentage was 75.8% and was consistent in both urban and rural settings.

Why is this important?

Research shows that "a high level of neighbourhood cohesion indirectly improves children's language development through its positive effects on parental emotional distress, social support, and health." Conversely, children's verbal-ability scores fall as neighbourhood cohesion decreases.⁸⁸ Research has also shown that high neighbourhood cohesion offers a measure of protection from injury for young children while low cohesion increases the odds of injury to young children.⁸⁹

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⁸⁶ Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (2004). Canadian Housing Observer: 2004. Ottawa: Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation.

⁸⁷ Jackson, A. and P. Roberts (2001). "Background Paper: Physical Housing Conditions and the Well-Being of Children." The Progress of Canada's Children. Ottawa: Canadian Council on Social Development.

⁸⁸ Hertzman, C. and D. Kohen (2003). "Lessons Learned from Canada's Surveys of Children and Youth." Transition Magazine. Autumn 2003, Volume 33. No. 3. Ottawa: Vanier Institute of the Family.

⁸⁹ Soubhi, H., P. Raina and D. Kohen (2001). Effects of Neighbourhood, Family and Child Behaviour on Injury in Canada. Ottawa: Human Resources Development Canada.