Housing

  1. The ratio of average residential prices and median census family pre-tax income is an important indicator because the higher the ratio the more difficult it becomes for people to purchase their own home. The average Canadian ratio in 2005 was 4.11. In Medicine Hat in 2005 the ratio was 2.79, which was an increase of 20.8% since 2001.      

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  2. From fall 2003 to spring 2007 the rental vacancy rate dropped 65%, to an overall vacancy rate of 1.7%. The average rent for a two-bedroom residence – the hardest to find – has increased 13.5%, from an average of $554 to $630.    

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    2003 2.8%
    2004 1.6%
    2005 2.1%
    2006 1.0%
    Spring 2007 1.7%

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  3. In Medicine Hat 67.9% of the homeless population are male. 97.6% are unattached individuals, as opposed to families. Visible minorities* represent 3.6% of the total population however, they account for 32.2% of the homeless population.    

    * The definition of visible minorities is consistent with the Employment Equity Act (1986) visible minorities are persons (other than Aboriginal persons) who are non-Caucasian in race or non-white in colour. Source

  4. In 2006, 1,490 individuals used the emergency housing facilities available in Medicine Hat. This was an increase of 29.7% over the previous year and does not include the Women’s Shelter.

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  5. In 2004-2005, 88 clients used the Women’s Shelter. 19 of these clients were admitted more than once throughout the year – 29 women and 15 children were turned away.    

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  6. Alberta has seen a 19% increase in multiple family residential building starts between 2005 and 2006. In Medicine Hat the number of similar housing starts in 2006 was 545, an increase of 43% from 2005.      

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    Housing Statistics for Alberta, 2005 - 2006
      Single Detached Multiple Family Total
      2006 2005 % 2006 2005 % 2006 2005 %
    Medicine Hat CA 516 450 14.7% 545 381 43% 1,061 831 27.7%
    Alberta (population 10,000+) 24,850 20,819 19.4% 16,032 13,482 18.9% 40,882 34,301 19.2%

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    Medicine Hat 5-year Multi-Family Building Development
      2002 2003 2004 2005 2006
    Duplexes 9 8 15 23 24
    Tri & Four plexes 3 5 7 8 26
    Apartment/Condo Buildings 23 32 55 75 77

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    Average Annual Rent for 2 Bedroom Apartments as a Percent of Median Yearly Income
      2004 2005
    Canada 14.9 14.5
    Alberta 13.6 12.9
    Medicine Hat 12.8 10.6

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    "With an increasing population it is very important we monitor our housing situation and take steps to provide affordable housing to those in need." – Survey Respondent

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    In the Medicine Hat Quality of Life Study published in April 2007, 85% of respondents noted that the average cost of utilities was an important indicator to them. Of these respondents 54% believed that Medicine Hat was doing well on this indicator.