Victoria indicatorsRenter households in core housing need
26.8% of renter households
Related target only. A target exists for a nearby measure, not for this one, so no gap is shown. Targets and comparisons
This is the first figure shown in this series, so there is no change to report yet. No direction label is shown until a second one is published.
Source: Statistics Canada. We read it on Nov 12, 2026.
Over time
Show the numbers as a table
| Period | Value |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 26.8% |
Who decides
City of Victoria Council. Decides zoning and development permits, and regulates building by bylaw. Local Government Act, s. 479
Show the 3 other bodies and the laws
| Body | What it decides | Law or bylaw | Last decision | Next decision |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| City of Victoria Council | Decides zoning and development permits, and regulates building by bylaw. | Local Government Act, s. 479 Local Government Act, s. 490 Community Charter, s. 8 (3) (l) | ||
| Province of B.C. | Limits rent increases during a tenancy. The yearly limit is set by regulation. | Residential Tenancy Act, s. 43 | 2027 limit set at 2.2%, announced August 27, 2026 | |
| Province of B.C. | Runs housing programs through BC Housing (the British Columbia Housing Management Commission). | Ministry of Lands, Parks and Housing Act, s. 5 Ministry of Lands, Parks and Housing Act, s. 10 | ||
| Government of Canada and Parliament | Finances and insures housing loans through Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation. | National Housing Act, s. 3 |
Councils: last general local election October 17, 2026; next on October 19, 2030, the third Saturday of October set by the Local Government Act, s. 52. Province: last general election October 19, 2024; next set for October 21, 2028 unless called earlier (Constitution Act, s. 23). Canada: last general election April 28, 2025; next set for October 15, 2029 unless called earlier (Canada Elections Act, s. 56.1).
Each row says what a body decides and links to the law, order or bylaw that gives it that role. It does not say who caused a change: markets, households and other governments also move these numbers. Who decides what, for every measure · How we choose
What this number does not show
- Core housing need is Statistics Canada’s and CMHC’s measure: a household is in core housing need if its home is unaffordable (shelter costs 30% or more of before-tax income), too small for the household, or in need of major repairs, and it would have to spend 30% or more of its income to rent an acceptable place nearby.
One more limit
- Only households that could be assessed are counted in the share (the Census calls them households examined for core housing need).
Not measured yet in housing: renovictions and tenant displacement. See all 18 gaps
In plain words
The share of the City’s renter households in core housing need in the 2021 Census: their home costs 30% or more of income, is too small or needs major repairs, and they cannot afford an acceptable place nearby.
How we decide “No label yet”
There is no earlier figure in the same series to compare with yet. A direction label needs at least two comparable periods, so none is shown until a second one is published.
A lower share means fewer renter households are in core housing need. 7,580 of 28,300 renter households examined were in core housing need in the 2021 Census (26.8%). All households: 19.4%. Renters paying 30% or more of income on shelter: 42.0%; 50% or more: 16.7%.
Outcome measures read Better, Worse or About the same; published government targets read Ahead of, On or Behind target; value-judgement measures read Rising, Falling or Steady in a neutral colour. A change smaller than the agency's own margin of error, or otherwise smaller than 5% of the earlier value, is About the same (or Steady). No change is calculated across a marked break in a series. The rule.
All notes on this number
Why it matters. It is the standard measure of housing need used by CMHC, the Province and the CRD.
- Core housing need is Statistics Canada’s and CMHC’s measure: a household is in core housing need if its home is unaffordable (shelter costs 30% or more of before-tax income), too small for the household, or in need of major repairs, and it would have to spend 30% or more of its income to rent an acceptable place nearby.
- Only households that could be assessed are counted in the share (the Census calls them households examined for core housing need).
- Calculated here from Statistics Canada’s counts: households in core housing need divided by households examined, and renters paying 30% or more divided by all renter households.
- The Census asks about 2020 incomes, which pandemic benefits raised, so 2021 may understate need. The next figures come from the 2026 Census.
- This 2021 table has no earlier census in the same form, so no change is shown.
Which places
Area: City of Victoria
The City of Victoria municipality only, all neighbourhoods.
Included
- All City of Victoria neighbourhoods, including Downtown, James Bay, Fairfield, Fernwood, Oaklands, Hillside/Quadra, North Park, Burnside, Victoria West, Rockland, Jubilee and Gonzales
Not included
- Saanich, Oak Bay, Esquimalt, Langford and every other municipality in the region
Official definition
Shown for comparison
- Comparison area: Capital Region The Capital Regional District: 13 municipalities and 3 electoral areas, including the Southern Gulf Islands and Salt Spring Island.
- Comparison area: All of B.C. The whole province of British Columbia.
How the agency describes it: City of Victoria (census subdivision).
How we got it
This number is published by the agency as shown; it is not calculated here. The script reads it from the agency’s own file.
More from the 2021 Census
- All households in core housing need: 19.4% (2021). 9,160 of 47,260 households examined. Capital Region: 12.6%. B.C.: 13.4%.
- Renters paying 30% or more of income on shelter: 42.0% (2021). 12,510 of 29,765 renter households. Capital Region: 39.9%.
- Renters paying 50% or more of income on shelter: 16.7% (2021). 4,965 of 29,765 renter households. Capital Region: 15.8%.
- Renters in core housing need, Capital Region: 24.2% (2021). 15,640 of 64,700 renter households examined. B.C.: 24.7%.
Licence and credits
Published under an open licence: anyone may reuse it with credit. About licences.
- Updated by agency
- Every five years (Census); latest release Sep 21, 2022
- Retrieved
- Nov 12, 2026, 10:22 PM B.C. time
Adapted from Statistics Canada, table 98-10-0247-01. This does not constitute an endorsement by Statistics Canada of this product.
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