Which demographic is suffering the most?
Younger Canadians are the most worried (13%) or somewhat worried (18%) about paying housing costs over the next month, according to a new poll by Nanos Research.
This was reflective of the nationwide trend, which showed an increasing share of Canadians across all age groups getting worried (8%) or somewhat worried (16%) about said costs. The overall share was fully 9% higher compared to 2021 levels, Nanos said.
A growing number of Canadians indicated a belief that the rate of housing cost growth is becoming unsustainable. As much as 35% of respondents said that the number of people experiencing homelessness is increasing quickly.
Taking these developments into account, many Canadians are expecting the federal government to wield a firmer hand in addressing mounting unaffordability.
More than half (55%) of respondents said that funding programs to fight homelessness is important when it comes to the Liberal administration’s upcoming budget this spring.
“A majority of Canadians support (33%) or somewhat support (36%) the introduction of a new benefit, paid for by the federal government, that would help low-income Canadians pay rent, to prevent them from becoming homeless and to help those who are already homeless get back into housing,” Nanos said.
Older Canadians aged 55 and above were the most likely to support (36%) or somewhat support (41%) such a measure.
