How COVID-19 has Impacted Low-Income Individuals and Families with Regards to Their Housing Situation

Osarenoma Ajayi, Valerie Ajayi, Shillah Olojo-Kosoko, Justin Olson

Abstract

This report looks at the impact that Covid-19 has had on accessible housing in the South Etobicoke area. This report is aimed at reducing homelessness and precariously housed situations amongst the low-income population in South Etobicoke. This report gathers information on this issue in hopes of assisting LAMP Community Health Centre on a larger three-year affordable housing project. The report collects secondary data through an interviewing process with agencies and organizations in the South Etobicoke area. We interviewed service providers in contact with low-income earners of South Etobicoke area. Interviews were carried out over the phone with predetermined questions. Data was recorded as it is revealed. Recorded data were later analyzed, and themes were gathered. Through this process, the information collected states that since the pandemic begun more people are struggling to access affordable housing due to job loss and financial instability. If housing market prices continue to rise exponentially, the problem will only get worse. Balancing out the market prices and minimum wage will ensure a reduction in homelessness and precariously housed situations

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Poster Presentation on how covid-19 has impacted low-income individuals and families with regards to their housing situation

Introduction

The dearth of affordable housing and its adequacy has been a rising emergency in Canada; one of which is most felt in metropolitan regions such as Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver. Marginalized groups such as those with mental health, low-income earners, and immigrants undergo hardship in finding affordable housing (Pinki, 2019). Factors that make housing unaffordable include high cost of living, low wages, rising rental costs, long application processing times, lack of desirable employment, as well as one’s status in the country. These factors force the majority of marginalized groups to accept housing that is either inadequate or unaffordable. People who are precariously housed face hunger, poverty, overcrowding, and are at extreme risk of homelessness. Accessibility to affordable housing is a major problem among low-income households and with the increase in housing prices in the South Etobicoke community there is more poverty and homelessness among community members. The pandemic has added an extra layer of complexity for persons seeking affordable housing.

Research Methods

The sampling method that was used in our group's Capstone research project is called “purposive sampling”. According to a study, purposive sampling also known as judgment sampling requires the researcher’s ability to select a sample that is most useful to the sole purpose of the research (Campbell et al., 2020; McCombes, 2021). Purposive sampling allows the researcher to research a specific group of people to obtain detailed knowledge about a unique phenomenon. Purposive sampling is also mostly used in qualitative research where the population that is being researched is small and specific. With our Capstone research project, we used the purposive sampling method by reaching out to community partners in South Etobicoke that specifically have services that cater to the needs of LAMP Community Health Centre clients. Conducting research with these types of community partners will allow the researcher to gain or obtain meaningful information or data that is specific to the experiences of people residing in South Etobicoke about how Covid-19 has impacted low-income individuals and families with regards to their housing situations

Results

Negative mental health: After conducting the interviews and analyzing the data, it was revealed that 22% of low-income earners residing in the South Etobicoke area experience negative mental health. Overcrowding: The result shows that 16% of low-income earners in the South Etobicoke area live in an overcrowded environment which restrict their privacy and cause conflict among individuals. Risk of eviction: During the research findings, the result shows 14% of low-income earners are facing a high risk of eviction. This means that 14% of low-income earners who reside in South Etobicoke may not have a place to stay at any giving time. Poor housing condition: The data shows that 14% of the low-income individual who resides in the South Etobicoke area are living in poor housing condition such as building full of mice, mud, cockroaches and bedbugs. High rent cost: This revealed that 13% of the individuals may not have the financial capability to access other basic life necessities such as food. Financial instability: During the research findings, the result shows 10% of individuals can not access adequate housing due to financial instability. Cheaper rent prices: The research findings show that 7% of people who reside in the South Etobicoke area have access to cheaper rent prices(affordable housing. Food insecurity: The research findings show 5% of people are unable to afford food. Due to the huge cost of rent, low-income earners in the South Etobicoke area are unable to afford food.

Discussions and Conclusions

Findings shows that Covid-19 has negatively impacted low-income earners of South Etobicoke. Findings shows that low-income earners residing in South Etobicoke are at risk of eviction, stays in overcrowded homes/poor living conditions, prone to developing mental disorders and experience food shortages. These low-income earners are faced with the above conditions primarily because of high cost of rent and financial instability. These low-income earners that resides in South Etobicoke usually do not have enough money to pay their rent and faced being evicted.

Acknowledgements

We would like to thank Salomeh Ahmadi (BHSc, MBA), Jasmin Dooh (Health Promoter Community Relations Specialist, LAMP Community Health Centre), and Daniel Plant for providing guardians, direction and the contact list of the service providers that were interviewed for the research study