Housing Affordability
The median weekly housing cost for the 2014 survey respondents was $225-$299. This is higher compared to the results from the
2010 survey where the median weekly housing cost was $150-$224. A significantly fewer number of clients were paying under
$150 per week for housing (20.4%) compared to 2010 (34%). In contrast, 41.5% of 2014 clients were spending more than $300 per
week on housing compared to only 19% who reported similar amounts in the 2010 survey. This increasing trend in housing costs
has continued since prior to 2010.
Table 25: Weekly Housing Cost
Proportion of Survey Respondents (%)
Weekly Housing Cost
No.
2014
2010
<$75
7
2.90%
11%
$75-$149
42
17.50%
23%
$150-$224
54
22.50%
25%
$225-$299
37
15.40%
23%
$300-$374
71
29.50%
13%
$374+
29
12%
6%
Total
240
100.00%
100%
Figure 9: Weekly Housing Cost 2010 to 2014
35%
2014
30%
2010
25%
20%
15%
10%
5%
0%
<$75
$75-$149 $150-$224 $225-$299 $300-$374
$374+
It is interesting to note that for almost a quarter of the survey respondents (22%), housing costs constituted 75% of more of their
weekly family income. This is a considerable increase compared to the results from the 2010 survey where it equated to 13.3%. A
37