Housing Needs Assessment

The City has finalized a Housing Needs Assessment.

It is one of the first steps in developing an action plan to help address housing in Whitehorse.

Along with the assessment, the Housing Action Plan will be informed by the Official Community Plan’s Residential Growth Strategy, other research, and community feedback.

The Housing Needs Assessment highlights current and anticipated housing needs in Whitehorse.

Among its key findings, it was noted:

• Whitehorse’s population grew by 21.2 per cent, or 1.9 per cent annually between 2011 and 2021.
• The population is anticipated to increase to 48,410 people by 2041.
• An additional 3,015 homes are expected to be needed between 2026 and 2031.
• Approximately 36 per cent of the housing needs in Whitehorse are for rental homes.
• Approximately 84 per cent of new homes will need one or two bedrooms, with 25 per cent of those serving households that earn less than $55,000 annually.
• A total of 19 per cent of renter households spend more than 30 per cent of their income on shelter.
• The minimum annual income required to afford the average priced Whitehorse condo in 2024 was $135,000.

The full assessment is available at engagewhitehorse.ca.

The assessment was made possible with support from the Housing Accelerator Fund through the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation.

The City will continue working on its Housing Action Plan. Currently, research is underway for the plan with community engagement expected later in the year.

Contact:
Strategic Communications
City of Whitehorse
[email protected]