Homeownership improves health and happiness of families

Habitat for Humanity North Bay
News Release

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CMHC survey of Habitat for Humanity families shows affordable homeownership an effective tool for economic and social advancement


New research has been released demonstrating that affordable Habitat for Humanity homeownership contributes to families becoming happier and healthier, and enjoying improvements in their children’s well being and school performance. The research, led and funded by Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), showed that of the families surveyed, 86 percent report being happier since moving into their Habitat home and 89 percent said their family life had improved.

For this study, 326 Habitat partner families who have received their Habitat homes since 2000, including 4 Habitat for Humanity North Bay Blue Sky Region partner families, were surveyed on changes to their health, social and financial dynamics.

“The survey has it bang on - we've been in our home for 5 years now, and in that time I've seen my children blossom”,
said Chrystal Boyer, commenting on the findings of the study. "Having a secure place to come home to each night has given them the confidence to go out and get involved at their school and in extra curricular activities, and it has allowed me to pursue my own career knowing they are safe and healthy. Our lives are better because we partnered with Habitat to make a home for ourselves."

“Cramped quarters, unhealthy environments, unsafe neighbourhoods – low-income Canadian families often face
challenges in obtaining housing that meets their needs,” said John Humble, Chair of Habitat for Humanity North Bay Blue Sky Region. “The families who partner with Habitat are able to remove themselves from these difficult situations, build equity for their futures and begin living healthier, happier and more productive lives.”

A leading advocate of affordable homeownership in Canada, Habitat for Humanity Canada worked with CMHC on this
research to quantify the benefits and outcomes of their homeownership model on the families that partner through their program. Habitat’s model provides “a hand up, not a hand out”, with low-income families paying the full fair market value of their home through a no-interest, no down payment mortgage that is geared to their income.

Other key findings from the report:

• 70 percent of homebuyers reported improved health, including reduced colds and flu, allergies, asthma
symptoms and stress. 31 percent reported less frequent visits to the doctor and about 25 percent said they
missed fewer days of work because of illness;

• 65 percent reported their children’s confidence had improved;

• Children’s participation in extracurricular activities also increased. Involvement in sports increased to 61
percent from 50 percent and participation in music and arts increased to 30 percent from 18 percent, with
volunteering increasing to 45 percent from 29 percent;

• More than half (58 percent) reported they were better off financially now than before they moved into their
Habitat home.

A full copy of the report is available from CMHC here (http://www.cmhc.ca/od/?pid=67847).

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