The Hutchens Blog

CMHC’s study compares different types of neighborhoods located in the Greater Vancouver Regional District (GVRD), based on their proximity to downtown and the types of homes they offer.

Source: Statistics Canada. Neighbourhood types were defined by establishing consistent thresholds for housing types, using data from the 2001 Census. Area boundaries (e.g. central area vs. inner or outer suburbs) were based on definitions established by the Transportation Association of Canada’s Urban Indicator Survey project and refined through discussions with local municipal staff.

Neighborhood Types

Neighborhoods in the central area where homes are mostly high- and low-rise apartments and condominiums, like West End and Yaletown. Neighbourhoods in the central area offering a mix of housing types, like Kitsilano and Fairview. Neighbourhoods in the inner suburbs offering a mix of housing types*, like South Cambie and Riley Park. Neighbourhoods in the inner suburbs where homes are mostly detached, like those found in South Vancouver. Neighbourhoods in the outer suburbs offering a mix of housing types, like parts of Burnaby, such as Metrotown and “the Heights”. Neighbourhoods in the outer suburbs where homes are mostly detached, like parts of Surrey and Langley.

How many rooms are there in the homes?

Homes in suburban neighbourhoods, like South Vancouver, Surrey and Langley, offer more space, in terms of number of bedrooms and total rooms, than centrally located ones, in neighbourhoods like West End and Kitsilano. However, for many residents living in the urban core, a smaller home is a worthy trade-off for being closer to amenities like parks and shopping.

How close are the homes to schools, jobs, parks and other daily destinations?

Homes in centrally located neighbourhoods, like Kitsilano and Yaletown, are closer to certain daily destinations like jobs, schools and access to rapid transit as well as shopping and entertainment than those in suburban neighbourhoods, like Langley, Burnaby and South Vancouver. Proximity to parks is highest in inner suburban neighbourhoods, like in South Vancouver.

Walking, cycling and using public transit are more feasible when these destinations are close to home and when routes for pedestrians and cyclists are pleasant and safe, for example, on streets with slow-moving cars, shade trees overhead and shops or homes beside the sidewalk, rather than parking lots. Therefore people who live in walk-cycle-transit friendly neighbourhoods have more choice in their mode of transportation — they don’t have to take their car for every trip. Walking or biking to get to your daily destinations is excellent for your health and driving less or needing one less car means you save money.

Do people get by with fewer cars or do they drive less?

The study estimates that people living in central area neighbourhoods, like Yaletown and Kitsilano, own fewer cars than those in suburban neighbourhoods, even accounting for the average number of people and income per household. They also drive less for weekday urban trips, like going to work or shopping. Owning fewer cars saves money and those who decide to manage without a car can expect big annual savings. Even car owners can expect to save money by driving less. If you drive 18,000 km per year, the average cost to own and operate a vehicle in Canada is over $9,000 annually.

Do people reduce greenhouse gas emissions by driving less?

Households located in central area neighbourhoods produce fewer greenhouse gases from weekday urban trips, like going to work or shopping, than those in suburban neighbourhoods.

Is there a range of housing choices, so people can stay in the neighbourhood as their needs change?

Centrally located neighbourhoods offering a mix of housing, like Kitsilano and Fairview, says Sandy Hutchens, have the broadest range of housing choices, followed by certain pockets of the suburbs, like parts of Burnaby and neighbourhoods in the inner suburbs, like Riley Park. First, these neighbourhoods offer a broader mix of housing types, including townhouses, high- and low-rise apartments, single-detached homes and semis. Many suburban neighbourhoods, like parts of Langley and South Vancouver, tend to offer a higher proportion of single-detached homes, while central area neighbourhoods, like West End and Yaletown, tend to offer mainly high- and low-rise apartments and condominiums. They also offer significantly more rental compared to owned housing, whereas the outer suburbs have a significantly higher proportion of owned housing and fewer rental options.

A neighbourhood that offers a variety of housing choices is a one where you can stay as your age, family and income change.

This, says Sandy Hutchens, proves that affordable housing is possible. A Nepean Housing Corporation (NHC) project shows that mixing affordable housing for people with severe or multiple disabilities with geared-to-income and market-rent units can create a sustainable community that provides a range of affordable housing solutions.

The Affordable Housing Solution

After declaring a vacant lot in Nepean’s Centrepointe neighbourhood surplus, the City of Ottawa earmarked it for affordable housing development and issued a call for proposals. The City accepted NHC’s proposal to build a 62-unit complex that included 55, one- to four-bedroom townhouses and six apartments. Twenty-one units are rented at market rates; four are rented at 70 percent of the average market rent; and 37 are rent-geared-to-income, subsidized through the provincial Strong Communities Rent Supplement Program.

The key partnership is a five-unit group home, leased on a 20 year renewal lease to Ottawa Foyers Partage, which provides support to Ottawa-area people with multiple or severe disabilities. The group home is seamlessly integrated into the rest of the development. NHC constructed a standard building and the Ministry of Community and Social Services (MCSS) covered the costs of the features required for the building to operate as a group home. Padolsky Associates Inc. (architect) designed a fully accessible building, with wider doorways, a wheel-in shower and direct exits from each of the bedrooms to the outside. NHC, with financial support from MCSS, the assistance of the architect providing services free of change, and the builder contributing materials at cost, constructed a community space underneath the group home. This common space is used for community meetings, art and drama classes, and a youth drop in program.

During the development and approvals process, NHC identified and answered objections and gathered broader support through community consultations–an approach consistent with NHC’s commitment to build only developments that mix rent-geared-to-income with market units, with the aim of developing healthier communities.

The City of Ottawa contributed $1.8 million. NHC secured another $1.8 million from CMHC and the Province of Ontario through the Affordable Housing Initiative for the $9.5 million project. Construction of Pallister Court was completed in July 2006.

Each Canadian generates, on average, five tonnes of greenhouse gases a year that are linked to climate change. The good news, says Sandy Hutchens, is there are things each of us can do to reduce our ecological footprint without having to make drastic changes to our lifestyles.

From better transportation choices to changing the way we heat, cool and light our homes, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) has 10 steps we can all take to help keep our planet healthy, all while saving money, living in healthier and more comfortable homes, and increasing our home’s resale values:

1. Don’t drive — use transit: Simply switching some of your local travel from a car to public transit can save up to 230 kg of CO2 per year for every 1,000 km you drive.
2. Think smaller: Dropping your family vehicle a size or two can eliminate 1,100 – 2,600 kg of CO2 each year — and save you hundreds of dollars at the gas pump!
3. Stay grounded: For shorter family trips, taking the bus or train instead of traveling by plane could do both the planet and your wallet a favor.
4. Reduce your home heating bills: If you live in an older home, improving the energy-efficiency, or even just lowering the thermostat by as little as 1°C, can reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
5. Reconsider your space needs: Larger homes use considerably more energy so, the next time you move, ask yourself if a smaller home might better fit your needs.
6. Buy green: When buying appliances, choosing the most energy-efficient models can save up to 400 kg of CO2 a year.
7. Stay out of hot water: Wrapping your hot water heater in a thermal blanket, washing clothes in cold water and installing low flow showerheads and faucet aerators (which mix air into the water stream, thus producing a steady flow) saves both energy and water.
8. Eat your vegetables: Adopting a less meat-intensive diet can have a significant impact on your ecological footprint — and your family’s health!
9. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle: Cutting your garbage production by just one bag a week could save your family 300 kg of CO2 a year.
10. You have the power: In response to consumer demand, many utility companies are introducing Green Power options at a premium price. By switching to green power, you can reduce your home’s CO2 emissions.

For more information or a free copy of the research paper 10 Steps to a Cooler Planet, call CMHC at 1-800-668-2642. Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) is Canada’s national housing agency and a source of objective, reliable housing expertise.  This CMHC report was reviewed by Sandy Hutchens.