Nearly one-third of respondents said they believe Niagara Region is becoming unaffordable. Photo Credit: iStock.
A poll commissioned by the Niagara Association of Realtors and released to the public last month shows that housing affordability and the cost of living are the two biggest concerns of residents of Niagara Region.
The poll, done by Nanos Research, surveyed 700 residents from St. Catharines, Niagara Falls, and the surrounding region. It found that housing affordability was the top concern of 12.8 per cent of respondents, followed closely by the overall cost of living, at 11.7 per cent.
Nearly one-third of respondents also said that they believed Niagara Region is becoming increasingly unaffordable, and they are considering moving elsewhere, citing affordability concerns.
“Niagara residents are struggling with the cost of living, and they are worried about whether or not their kids are going to be able to afford the Canadian dream,” said Niagara Association of Realtors Chair Nathan Morrissette. “This poll is a clear signal to local leaders: the time for bold action is now to accelerate the development of affordable homes and lower taxes on housing.”
The survey also found that 72 per cent of respondents felt that housing affordability in Niagara Region has worsened over the past five years. Eighty-nine per cent of respondents agreed that it is harder to find housing today than it was five years ago.
Respondents also strongly supported reducing red tape and aligning housing rules among the region’s 12 municipalities (62 per cent) and balancing new development projects with preserving heritage areas (57 per cent).
The Niagara Association of Realtors is recommending five pro-housing affordability measures to try to address residents’ concerns and bring costs down. This includes harmonizing housing rules amongst Niagara Region’s 12 municipalities; ending exclusionary zoning by adopting four-units as of right; filling infrastructure gaps with more federal and provincial funding for Niagara Region; selling surplus land to expedite housing development; and lowering development charges and taxes on new homes, particularly in Niagara Falls.
“We know that housing is a basic necessity,” said Sarah Hart, Executive Officer of the Niagara Association of Realtors. “Our local leaders need to continue working together and prioritize policies that support both current residents and future generations.”
While most respondents felt Niagara Region faces affordability challenges, 71 per cent of respondents still felt the area was a good place to raise a family and a safe place to live.
The Niagara Association of Realtors represents over 1,400 members who work and live in Niagara Region. It serves as the voice of local real estate, with a mission to support a fair and accessible housing market and to advocate for policies that benefit homeowners and the broader community.
Jay Goldberg is the Ontario Director at the Canadian Taxpayers Federation. He previously served as a policy fellow at the Munk School of Public Policy and Global Affairs. Jay holds a Ph.D. in Political Science from the University of Toronto.
