Helen Looker is a graduate of the University of Toronto’s master’s program in planning and a successful contributor to the joint SHSC/CPRN internship and scholar program. Her main research interest is exurban housing in small town Ontario and senior’s issues in segregated retirement communities. Helen recently took time to answer some questions about her paper The Homeownership Component of the Canada-Ontario Affordable Housing Program: Critical Analysis of Program Objectives.

Research Questions:

Q. Why do you think it is important that research be focused on the effectiveness of the homeownership component of the Canada-Ontario Affordable Housing Program?

A. It is important to critically examine the political reasons for increasing homeownership to low and moderate income households. The implications of the financial burden to such households could result in impaired health, financial instability, and increased homelessness.

Q. Could you elaborate on the impact that increased rates of home ownership has had on waiting lists for affordable housing in Ontario?

A. Market renters represent the majority of the applicants for supported home ownership programs. While their movement out of social housing frees up spaces, it increases the concentration of low-income households in the sector.

Q. Based on your research, how do you foresee the homeownership component Canada-Ontario Affordable Housing Program evolving?

A. As policies to support home ownership have become the preferred housing option of many North American housing strategies, the program will continue to be a government tool to promote homeownership. This is why efforts must be made to craft policies to help low-to-moderate income households sustain their place on the real estate ladder.

Q. What needs to happen to make the transition from affordable housing to homeownership a more feasible option for lower income tenants?

A. What is needed is a system that provides the financial and educational support needed to promote the transition to a higher income level.
The move from affordable housing to home ownership could be made more accessible by equipping low income individuals with financial literacy, household management skills, employment and educational upgrading opportunities.

Click here to checkout Helen Looker’s paper!
The Homeownership Component of the Canada-Ontario Affordable Housing Program: Critical Analysis of Program Objectives