Housing Needs Research

Housing Needs Research Project

The goal is to pinpoint and tackle crucial data gaps concerning housing supply and demand in Newfoundland and Labrador, to improve the province’s understanding of its housing needs and help local leaders make informed decisions.

View project summary one-pager [PDF]

Who We Are

REGIONAL ANALYTICS LAB

The Regional Analytics Lab (RAnLab) aims to inform evidence-based decisions through capacity building initiatives and regional economic and spatial analytics.

RAnLab is a part of the Leslie Harris Centre of Regional Policy and Development at Memorial University.

HOUSING NEEDS RESEARCH GROUP

The project receives support from various professional organizations through the Research Group, led by the NL Housing Corporation. Together we work to identify and address key data gaps related to housing in our province.

Project Information

Built for Housing Needs Assessments

All data gathered, projections, calculations, and analysis are designed to help complete housing needs assessments for federal funding applications (e.g. Housing Accelerator Fund).

Central Location for All Housing Data

RAnLab's data model connects publicly available administrative data (e.g. Statistics Canada data) with community generated information to build the most accurate understanding of housing needs in a particular community.

Data Analysis and Housing Expertise

You can count on us for clear and reliable housing insights. Our team knows data inside and out, and we've teamed up with housing experts to make sure we're giving you the best information possible.

What is a Housing Needs Assessment?

A housing needs assessment is a study of housing data and information (current and projected) to understand the specific housing needs of a community. It should identify the following, as outlined by the CMHC: The number and percentage of households in core housing need and severe housing need Key areas of housing need across the entire spectrum. The total number of housing units required (by dwelling size and type) to meet current and projected need. A housing needs assessment relies on administrative data and community generated information. There is a Housing Needs Assessment template provided by the federal government that includes the following sections: Community Profile and Trends Household Profiles and Economic Characteristics Priority Groups Housing Profile Projected Housing Needs and Next Steps A housing needs assessment can be used for community and policy planning and development. It is a tool to help explore and articulate the specific housing needs and their degree within a community. Formal housing needs assessments are a requirement for the federal Housing Accelerator Fund and are expected to be a requirement for other funds in the future.
What exactly is needed from my municipality for a housing needs assessment?

Communities needing to complete a housing needs assessment will see themselves involved in the process as they hold critical information needed to effectively understand the various types of housing need in the area. Involvement may include stakeholder interviews and sending documents (e.g. Municipal planning documents) and data (e.g. permit data) to the person(s) completing the assessment. RAnLab and its organization, the Harris Centre, is collaborating with Municipalities Newfoundland and Labrador and the Housing Needs Research Group to organize and coordinate community involvement in the process. Any data collected and owned by a municipality related to housing can be incorporated into a housing needs assessment. RAnLab's data model is built to adapt to community corrections and additional datasets that may arise.
My municipality needs a housing needs assessment, what do I do?

Send us an email at ranlab@mun.ca with details including who you are, the geography of study, and what you need the housing needs assessment for. RAnLab is working with partners to ensure all municipalities that have been awarded funding through HAF have completed housing needs assessments (as required). If you need a housing needs assessment for another purpose RAnLab can support that as well.
Can your housing needs assessment be submitted for HAF?

Yes, RAnLab is working diligently with partners to ensure housing needs assessments are completed for all municipalities across the province, especially those that need one for funding requirements. If you were approved for the Housing Accelerator Fund, a completed housing needs assessment is required two years after the approved date (if not submitted with the application).