Winnipeg housing costs remain 'affordable'

Canadians are forking out more for groceries and gas these days, but here's some good news for the family budget: a new analysis of census data suggests people in the Winnipeg region are still spending about the same portion of their paycheques on housing as they were at the beginning of the decade.

The median cost of housing in the Winnipeg region was $7,903 a year _ or $659 a month _ in 2006, Statistics Canada reported Wednesday in a new report on shelter costs across the country.

That means the average household in Winnipeg region spent 16.9 per cent of its income on housing and shelter costs in 2006. The previous census data from 2001 indicated households in the Winnipeg region spent 17.2 per cent of their income on housing costs.

Statistics Canada defines shelter costs for homeowners as mortgage payments, property taxes, condo fees and utilities. For renters, the costs include rental payments and utilities.

Looking at income-to-shelter-cost ratio is one way of measuring what the government agency calls the "affordability" of housing, including the differences between those who rent and those who have bought a home or condo.

Renters in the Winnipeg region generally spend proportionately more of their income on housing costs than home owners who are still carrying a mortgage.

The average renter had to devote $7,139 annually _ or 24.7 per cent of household income _ to housing costs.

Home owners in the Winnipeg region with a mortgage had spent a median of $12,309 annually or 17.6 per cent of their income on housing. For those without mortgages, the proportion was much less _ 8.1 per cent for an annual cost of $4,926.

A total of 67.1 per cent of households in the Winnipeg region are home owners. That's an increase from five years earlier, when it was 65.5 per cent. Those without mortgages represent 27.9 per cent of households in the community.

Across Canada, the median shelter cost for home owners in 2006 was $10,056 annually and for renters it was $8,057. Across Manitoba, home owners spent $7,863 and renters paid $6,833.

The average Canadian household spent 18.1 per cent of its annual income on housing _ meaning people in the Winnipeg region have proportionately lower housing costs than the rest of the country.

The analysis released Wednesday by Statistics Canada is based on census data collected more than two years ago. The next census will be taken in 2011.

The census data on housing costs is for what's known as the census metropolitan area of Winnipeg, which represents the city's core boundary as well as outlying suburban areas.