Our Research

The CDI maintains a clear focus on research and on providing access to valuable resources toward the goal of increasing knowledge and understanding and building capacity around community, regional, and economic development. Our goal is to balance both applied and basic work so as to maintain academic credibility and to be of practical relevance to communities.

The information in this section is organized by topic. Please contact us if you need help finding information or have a question about any of the research or resources included here.

  • Housing Affordability, Income, and Vulnerability in Non-Metropolitan BC

    • Community and Economic Development and Transformation
    • Housing

    2021 Census Data Edition

    Part of the "Building Foundations for the Future" Report Series

    Housing Affordability_2021 Census Data EditionIn many areas of non-metropolitan British Columbia, the state of housing has become a key constraint on economic and community development. Our previous housing research has pointed to a number of long-standing as well as emerging issues and challenges related to housing in non-metropolitan BC, and the resulting implications. This report highlights one of these issues: housing affordability.

    At the community level, attention to housing affordability ensures that the community can attract and retain the workforce and other residents it needs to support broad economic activity and general social well-being. Non-metropolitan communities and households are particularly at risk for issues around housing affordability because much of the housing stock in these communities is old, not energy efficient, and in need of major repair. In addition, there is a mismatch between household size and housing size, suggesting that many households may be living in, and paying for, homes that are larger than they want or need.

    This report features 40 Community Profiles, including our sample of non-metropolitan BC communities located in every region of the province and their average. Each of these profiles includes information on income distribution, household income in the context of shelter costs, and homeowner and renter housing cost vulnerability rates. Findings from this report include the following:

    • In over two-thirds fo the sample, shelter cost increases for renters exceeded income increases.
    • In one-third of the sample, shelter cost increases for homeowners exceeded income increases.
    • In one-third of the sample, shelter costs for renter households exceeded shelter costs for owners.

    The report structure allows each community to extract information that is relevant for them and their region and use it as a tool for analysis, strategic planning, and targeted action. The data is collected from the 2021 Census Program. A 2016 Census Data Edition accompanies the report to provide some recent, pre-COVID, historical context.

    Be sure to visit our Housing Information Portal for more on housing in non-metropolitan BC and Canada.

  • Housing Affordability, Income, and Vulnerability in Non-Metropolitan BC

    • Community and Economic Development and Transformation
    • Housing

    2016 Census Data Edition

    Part of the "Building Foundations for the Future" Report Series

    Housing Affordability 2016 Census Data EditionThe CDI has been gathering and analyzing housing data for non-metropolitan BC since 2014. Using Census data, our research has tracked changes to population demographics and housing stock in 39 non-metropolitan communities across the province.

    Using 2016 Census data, this report captures a snapshot of the state of housing affordability and vulnerability for both renters and owners. The research shows that renter vulnerability in non-metropolitan BC is very high; in over 28% of our sample communities, it is higher than in Vancouver. Also of concern is that incomes in non-metropolitan BC are rising more slowly than the cost of housing, a trend that is expected to continue into the future.

    Be sure to visit our Housing Information Portal for more on housing in non-metropolitan BC and Canada.

  • Seniors Profile: Mackenzie, BC - New Horizons for Seniors, Second Edition

    • Age-friendly Communities
    • Community Services Provision

     Mackenzie, BC_2021 Census UpdateThis Seniors Profile is the second, updated, profile prepared as part of the New Horizons project undertaken by the Mackenzie Campus of the College of New Caledonia in collaboration with community partners. The purpose of this profile is to collate the most recent available information to create a snapshot of the senior population in the community, as well as some historical developments. This is a tool to help the community understand seniors' situations and make informed decisions. This profile includes mainly data from Statistics Canada's 2021 Census Program.

  • Public Sector Land Lease Renewals

    Public Sector Land Lease Renewals: Case studies from around the world

    • Community and Economic Development and Transformation
    • Housing
    For decades, governments around the world have supported and encouraged development of derelict industrial areas through strategic land use planning. While development plans differ, the intent of these initiatives to improve quality of life in the community is generally consistent. This report provides a review of public land development with a focus on public ownership rationales, lease terms, and renewal approaches from around the world. British Columbia has a particular interest in this topic as the public land lease in Vancouver's False Creek South neighbourhood approaches its lease term expiry. Commissioned by the Real Estate Institute of BC, this CDI report offers insight into an array of mechanisms that have been established in other jurisdictions, including public land lease for targeted mixed use development, public asset management, and the potential role for private investment in this context. 
  • Mackenzie Seniors Survey - Recreation and Leisure Facilities and Programs

    • Age-friendly Communities

    In 2019, the College of New Caledonia, Mackenzie Campus, formed a community stakeholder group, successfully applied for a New Horizons grant, and entered a five-year agreement with the Government of Canada. The purpose of the grant is to understand seniors needs and issues in Mackenzie and develop programs and services that enhance quality of life for seniors and improve organizational networking and communication across the community.

    The community stakeholders group consists of a wide range of community organizations, including those that provide housing, transportation, recreation, home support, and other services to seniors. One of the stakeholders is the Community Development Institute (CDI) at the University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC). The CDI’s role in this partnership is to design and conduct a research and evaluation framework for the “New Horizons Program: Bridging the Gap”.  

    This survey is the second Mackenzie Seniors Survey, a part of the CDI’s community consultation program fulfilling our role in CNC’s New Horizons program in Mackenzie. The Mackenzie Seniors Surveys, as well as other community consultation, will assist in understanding the current social and economic environment for seniors in Mackenzie and help identify potential gaps and opportunities for programs and services that could enhance quality of life. This will also help assess the impact of CNC’s New Horizons Program on the lives of seniors in Mackenzie.

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