Housing Insecurity amongst Older Adult Renters in Metro Vancouver: A Geographical Analysis

We will produce a series of maps using 2016 Canadian Census data to identify concentrations of seniors in market rental housing throughout the Vancouver CMA. Population projections indicate that 1 in 4 Metro Vancouver residents will be 65 years or older in a little over a decade. Seniors in the private rental market tend to show indicators of greater vulnerability such as low income and core housing need compared to seniors who own their housing. To gauge senior renters’ access to neighbourhood services, we will map the distribution of seniors’ social services and identify areas where senior renters are underserved.
Current efforts to support seniors aging in place are insufficient. This project will benefit the Senior Services Society to advocate for and coordinate existing and new services through a greater understanding of the spatial concentrations of low-income seniors to improve service design, delivery and implementation.

Faculty Supervisor:

Penelope Gurstein

Student:

Partner:

Seniors Services Society of BC;United Way of the Lower Mainland

Discipline:

Sociology

Sector:

Health and Related Sciences & Technology

University:

The University of British Columbia

Program: