About the report:

The Vital Signs report measures the vitality of Canadian communities across a number of key indicators. Using available data as a springboard, we delve into key issues that help us better understand the health of our community. We embrace community knowledge to help us tell real stories about real people, and foster important conversations about how the Regina area can live up to its potential as one of the best communities in Canada.

Building Economic Inclusion

Housing affordability and homelessness in regina

Poverty is a primary barrier to full participation in community life. When we address the needs of those who struggle to make ends meet, we create opportunities for them to participate, belong and contribute to our community. Housing accessibility and food security are critical components of community well-being.

Since the late 2000s, Regina has been a booming city due to its growing agriculture and resource sectors. Strong economic conditions translated into a strong housing market. Housing starts were rising and rental vacancy rates were falling. However, a persistently low price of oil as of late has significantly affected capital investments, resulting in a much weaker housing market. Existing home sales have slowed and weaker demand translated into a 1.5% decline in MLS average prices down to $310,609 in 2015 compared to 2014 prices. Rental vacancy rates reached record lows between 2009 and 2012, and only recently they have shown growth.

Despite more availability, rising rental rates remain a concern, especially for economically disadvantaged individuals who are seeking affordable housing. For housing to be affordable, a household should not spend more than 30% of gross income on rental shelter costs. However, almost 45% of renters in Regina are overspending on shelter, which leads to higher housing instability and greater risk of homelessness (Statistics Canada, 2011). This translates into approximately 19,000 households experiencing housing affordability issues due to high housing costs in relation to available incomes. North Central is the most vulnerable community in Regina with 53% of renters overspending on shelter. Sadly, some Regina residents have no home and are forced to sleep outdoors, make use of emergency beds and temporary shelters. The Point-in-Time count conducted in 2015 recorded 232 people without proper housing.

The number of emergency homeless shelters in Regina has remained at just six since 2011. This is a trivial number considering that homeless shelters are heavily utilized – from 2008 to 2011 more than 4,500 individuals accessed a homeless shelter (Turner, 2015). A conglomerate of community organizations and the Government of Canada’s Homelessness Partnering Strategy are committed to addressing homelessness in Regina with the implementation of a Housing First Model. This initiative involves “placing chronic and episodic homeless in housing immediately and surrounding them with the supports they require to maintain that housing and become self-sufficient” (Homelessness Partnering Strategy, McNair, 2015). The first 12 intakes for the pilot project have already occurred, with services being prioritized through a centralized intake process. While the Housing First project is new to Regina, it has already seen success in other communities in Saskatchewan, Alberta, and Manitoba where 86% of Housing First participants remain in their 1st or 2nd housing unit 12 months into the program. This housing stability generates a return of $7-$10 for every $10 invested in Housing First.