Canada's Core Public Infrastructure Survey, 2018 - Public Social and Affordable Housing Assets

Canada's core public infrastructure can vary within each municipality in Canada as a result of size of population, geographic location and overall economic condition. Canada's core public infrastructure survey will be measuring the following key components within the municipality: asset ownership; asset management planning; overall condition of core public asset infrastructure and overall performance of these core public assets.

Organization refers to municipal, regional, provincial, federal government or Indigenous entities (such as a Band council) who own a core public infrastructure.

Own refers to assets owned by your organization as well as assets leased by your organization through a capital lease agreement.

Public social and affordable housing, for the purposes of this survey, refers to publicly-owned housing units that are owned and/or operated by a level of government (federal, provincial, territorial, or municipal) and Indigenous entities aiming to provide affordable, safe and supportive housing for low-to-moderate-income households. It encompasses ownership and rental housing as well as emergency and supportive shelters for different population groups. Other characteristics include where bricks and mortar and operating deficits are financed through public funding, and where households receive housing subsidies or pay a rent geared to their income which is lower than what the private market would ask for the same shelter.

Public social and affordable housing structures include the following:

Single-detached house: A single dwelling not attached to any other dwelling or structure (except its own garage or shed). A single-detached house has open space on all sides, and has no dwellings either above it or below it. A mobile home fixed permanently to a foundation is also classified as a single-detached house.

Semi-detached house: One of two dwellings attached side by side (or back to back) to each other, but not attached to any other dwelling or structure (except its own garage or shed). The two units together have open space on all sides.
Please include duplex and triplex housing.

Row house: One of three or more dwellings joined side by side (or occasionally side to back), such as a townhouse or garden home, but not having any other dwellings either above or below. Townhouses attached to a high-rise building are also classified as row houses. A set of row houses represents one structure.

Apartment buildings including the following:
Apartment building that has five or more storeys: A high-rise apartment building which has five or more storeys.
Apartment building that has fewer than five storeys: A building that has fewer than five storeys.

The following questions are about the inventory and physical assessment of social and affordable housing structures owned by your organization or leased by your organization through a capital lease agreement. Social and affordable
housing includes any structure that is used to address social and affordable housing needs.

Inventory and physical assessment of public social and affordable housing assets - Question identifier:1

What was your organization's final inventory count of social and affordable housing structures and units owned by your organization as of December 31, 2016?

Do not include structures owned by cooperatives, non-profit organizations or private organizations.
If you do not own or lease an asset listed below, please check Does not apply.

Count of structures

• 1: Single detached house
• 2: Semi-detached house (include duplex / triplex housing)
• 3: Row house (a set of row houses represents one structure)
• 4: Apartment building (fewer than five storeys)
• 5: Apartment building (five or more storeys)

Count of units within structures

• 1: Single detached house
• 2: Semi-detached house (include duplex / triplex housing)
• 3: Row house (a set of row houses represents one structure)
• 4: Apartment building (fewer than five storeys)
• 5: Apartment building (five or more storeys)

Does not apply

• 1: Single detached house
• 2: Semi-detached house (include duplex / triplex housing)
• 3: Row house (a set of row houses represents one structure)
• 4: Apartment building (fewer than five storeys)
• 5: Apartment building (five or more storeys)

Inventory and physical assessment of public social and affordable housing assets - Question identifier:2

As of December 31, 2016, indicate the count distribution of your social and affordable housing structures based on the year of completed construction.

Do not include structures owned by cooperatives, non-profit organizations or private organizations.
Each selected asset in question 1 should have a count distribution below.

Single detached house

• 1: 2016
• 2: 2010 to 2015
• 3: 2000 to 2009
• 4: 1970 to 1999
• 5: 1940 to 1969
• 6: Prior to 1940
• 7: Do not know

Semi-detached house (include duplex / triplex housing)

• 1: 2016
• 2: 2010 to 2015
• 3: 2000 to 2009
• 4: 1970 to 1999
• 5: 1940 to 1969
• 6: Prior to 1940
• 7: Do not know

Row house (a set of row houses represents one structure)

• 1: 2016
• 2: 2010 to 2015
• 3: 2000 to 2009
• 4: 1970 to 1999
• 5: 1940 to 1969
• 6: Prior to 1940
• 7: Do not know

Apartment building (five or more storeys)

• 1: 2016
• 2: 2010 to 2015
• 3: 2000 to 2009
• 4: 1970 to 1999
• 5: 1940 to 1969
• 6: Prior to 1940
• 7: Do not know

Inventory and physical assessment of public social and affordable housing assets - Question identifier:3

What is the condition assessment cycle for the social and affordable housing structures owned by your organization?

Condition assessment cycle: The period of time required to assess all the assets of a particular type owned by the organization as well as all
of the assets of a particular type leased by the organization through a capital lease agreement.
Please select one condition assessment cycle per asset.

Single detached house

• 1: 1 year
• 2: 2 years
• 3: 3 to 5 years
• 4: 5 to 10 years
• 5: More than 10 years
• 6: Does not apply
• 7: Do not know

Semi-detached house (include duplex / triplex housing)

• 1: 1 year
• 2: 2 years
• 3: 3 to 5 years
• 4: 5 to 10 years
• 5: More than 10 years
• 6: Does not apply
• 7: Do not know

Row house (a set of row houses represents one structure)

• 1: 1 year
• 2: 2 years
• 3: 3 to 5 years
• 4: 5 to 10 years
• 5: More than 10 years
• 6: Does not apply
• 7: Do not know

Apartment building (fewer than five storeys)

• 1: 1 year
• 2: 2 years
• 3: 3 to 5 years
• 4: 5 to 10 years
• 5: More than 10 years
• 6: Does not apply
• 7: Do not know

Apartment building (five or more storeys)

• 1: 1 year
• 2: 2 years
• 3: 3 to 5 years
• 4: 5 to 10 years
• 5: More than 10 years
• 6: Does not apply
• 7: Do not know

Inventory and physical assessment of public social and affordable housing assets - Question identifier:4

Please indicate the assessment tool used to complete the physical condition assessment your organization's social and affordable housing structures in 2016.

Mark all that apply for each social and affordable housing structure owned by your organization.
Each selected asset for question 1 should have a physical condition assessment below.

Inventory and physical assessment of public social and affordable housing assets - Question identifier:4.1

Based on detailed inspection, analysis guidelines, procedures or certification by engineer

• 1: Single detached house
• 2: Semi-detached house (include duplex / triplex housing)
• 3: Row house (a set of row houses represents one structure)
• 4: Apartment building (fewer than five storeys)
• 5: Apartment building (five or more storeys)

Inventory and physical assessment of public social and affordable housing assets - Question identifier:4.2

Based on assessment by building manager, superintendents (etc.)

• 1: Single detached house
• 2: Semi-detached house (include duplex / triplex housing)
• 3: Row house (a set of row houses represents one structure)
• 4: Apartment building (fewer than five storeys)
• 5: Apartment building (five or more storeys)

Inventory and physical assessment of public social and affordable housing assets - Question identifier:4.3

Using proxy information such as age from administrative data

• 1: Single detached house
• 2: Semi-detached house (include duplex / triplex housing)
• 3: Row house (a set of row houses represents one structure)
• 4: Apartment building (fewer than five storeys)
• 5: Apartment building (five or more storeys)

Inventory and physical assessment of public social and affordable housing assets - Question identifier:4.4

Do not know

• 1: Single detached house
• 2: Semi-detached house (include duplex / triplex housing)
• 3: Row house (a set of row houses represents one structure)
• 4: Apartment building (fewer than five storeys)
• 5: Apartment building (five or more storeys)

Inventory and physical assessment of public social and affordable housing assets - Question identifier:5

In 2016, what was the overall physical condition of your organization's social and affordable housing structures? Please indicate the percent distribution of your organization's social and affordable housing structures by using the
following condition rating scale.

Very poor: The asset is unfit for sustained service. The asset is near or beyond expected service life, widespread signs of advanced deterioration, some assets may be unusable.
Poor: Increasing potential of affecting service. The asset is approaching end of service life; condition below standard and a large portion of system exhibits significant deterioration.
Fair: The asset requires attention. The assets show signs of deterioration and some elements exhibit deficiencies.
Good: The asset is adequate. Acceptable, generally within mid stage of expected service life.
Very good: Asset is fit for the future. Well maintained, good condition, new or recently rehabilitated.

Each selected asset for question 1 should have a percent distribution below.
Each reporting asset must total to 100%.

Single detached house

• 1: Very poor
• 2: Poor
• 3: Fair
• 4: Good
• 5: Very good
• 6: Do not know

Semi-detached house (include duplex / triplex housing)

• 1: Very poor
• 2: Poor
• 3: Fair
• 4: Good
• 5: Very good
• 6: Do not know

Row house (a set of row houses represents one structure)

• 1: Very poor
• 2: Poor
• 3: Fair
• 4: Good
• 5: Very good
• 6: Do not know

Apartment building (fewer than five storeys)

• 1: Very poor
• 2: Poor
• 3: Fair
• 4: Good
• 5: Very good
• 6: Do not know

Apartment building (five or more storeys)

• 1: Very poor
• 2: Poor
• 3: Fair
• 4: Good
• 5: Very good
• 6: Do not know

Inventory and physical assessment of public social and affordable housing assets - Question identifier:6

What was the final inventory count of social and affordable housing units owned by your organization as of December 31, 2016 and the average area of living space for these units?

Living space: Living space is defined as length multiplied by width of interior walls, excluding exterior balconies and storage areas.

Studio unit

• 1: Count of units
• 2: Average area of living space
• 3: Unit of measure - square feet (ft2)
• 4: Unit of measure - square metres (m2)
• 5: Does not apply

1 bedroom unit

• 1: Count of units
• 2: Average area of living space
• 3: Unit of measure - square feet (ft2)
• 4: Unit of measure - square metres (m2)
• 5: Does not apply

2 bedroom unit

• 1: Count of units
• 2: Average area of living space
• 3: Unit of measure - square feet (ft2)
• 4: Unit of measure - square metres (m2)
• 5: Does not apply

3 bedroom unit

• 1: Count of units
• 2: Average area of living space
• 3: Unit of measure - square feet (ft2)
• 4: Unit of measure - square metres (m2)
• 5: Does not apply

4 or more bedrooms unit

• 1: Count of units
• 2: Average area of living space
• 3: Unit of measure - square feet (ft2)
• 4: Unit of measure - square metres (m2)
• 5: Does not apply

Inventory and physical assessment of public social and affordable housing assets - Question identifier:7A

What was the total inventory count of single room occupancy / rooming housing units and the average area of living space for a single occupancy room owned by your organization as of December 31, 2016?

Living space: Living space is defined as length multiplied by width of interior walls, excluding exterior balconies and storage areas.

Single room occupancy / rooming housing units

• 1: Count of single room occupancy units
• 2: Average area of living space for a single room occupancy units
• 3: Unit of measure - square feet (ft2)
• 4: Unit of measure - square metres (m2)
• 5: Does not apply

Inventory and physical assessment of public social and affordable housing assets - Question identifier:7B

Of these single room occupancy / rooming housing units, what was the average shared living space for these rooming house units owned by your organization as of December 31, 2016?

Rooming houses

• 1: Average area of living space for a single rooming house
• 2: Unit of measure - square feet (ft2)
• 3: Unit of measure - square metres (m2)
• 4: Does not apply

Inventory and physical assessment of public social and affordable housing assets - Question identifier:8

As of December 31, 2016, what was the final inventory count of the following social and affordable housing structures and units owned by your organization ?

Do not include structures owned by cooperatives, non-profit organizations or private organizations.
Emergency shelters are defined as facilities providing temporary, short-term accommodation for homeless individuals and families.
This may or may not include other services such as food, clothing or counselling.
Transitional housing provides temporary shelter, but can be differentiated from emergency shelters by the longer length of stay and greater intensity of support services offered to clients. Transitional housing is an intermediate step between emergency shelter and permanent housing. Support services help clients gain stability and self-sufficiency to maintain permanent housing. Stays are typically between three months and three years.

Count of structures

• 1: Emergency shelter (e.g.: safe houses, homeless shelters)
• 2: Transitional and supportive housing (e.g.: rooming and boarding homes)
• 3: Rental housing (e.g: social and public housing)

Count of units within structures

• 1: Emergency shelter (e.g.: safe houses, homeless shelters)
• 2: Transitional and supportive housing (e.g.: rooming and boarding homes)
• 3: Rental housing (e.g: social and public housing)

Does not apply

• 1: Emergency shelter (e.g.: safe houses, homeless shelters)
• 2: Transitional and supportive housing (e.g.: rooming and boarding homes)
• 3: Rental housing (e.g: social and public housing)

Asset management and performance - Question identifier:9

Does your organization have a social and affordable housing asset management plan?

An Asset Management Plan defines how a group of assets is to be managed over a period of time. The asset management plan describes the characteristics and condition of infrastructure assets, the levels of service expected from them, planned actions to ensure the assets are providing the expected level of service, and financing strategies to implement the planned actions.

• 1: Yes
• 2: No

Asset management and performance - Question identifier:10

How often does your organization update the current social and affordable housing asset management plan?

Mark one only.

• 1: Every year
• 2: Every two to four years
• 3: Every five years or more
• 4: Does not update
• 5: Other — please specify:
• 6: Do not know

Asset management and performance - Question identifier:11

When does your organization plan on implementing a social and affordable housing asset management plan?

Mark one only.

• 1: In one year
• 2: In two to four years
• 3: In five years or more
• 4: Other — please specify:
• 5: Do not plan to implement an asset management plan
• 6: Do not know

Asset management and performance - Question identifier:12

What type of asset management information system does your organization use to manage your social and affordable housing assets?

Mark all that apply.

• 1: Custom asset management software
• 2: Off-the-shelf asset management software
• 3: Spreadsheet
• 4: Paper records
• 5: Other — please specify:
• 6: No asset management information system
• 7: Do not know

Asset management and performance - Question identifier:13

In 2016, was your organization responsible for any of the following aspects related to social and affordable housing?

Allocation of units - your organization is responsible for placing persons into social and affordable housing units.
Maintenance and repairs of units - your organization is responsible for maintaining and repairing the social and affordable housing units.
Tracking complaints - your organization is responsible for tracking complaints related to living conditions of social and affordable housing units.
Managing waiting list - your organization is responsible for receiving and managing waiting list for social and affordable housing units.

Mark all that apply.

• 1: Allocation of units
• 2: Maintenance and repair of units
• 3: Tracking complaints
• 4: Managing waiting list
• 5: None of the above

Asset management and performance - Question identifier:14

As of December 31, 2016, how many of the following types of clients used social and affordable housing owned by your organization?

• 1: Number of new clients allocated housing in 2016
• 2: Number of existing clients accessing housing
• 3: Number of applicants on waiting list to access housing

Asset management and performance - Question identifier:15

In 2016, what was the average wait time (in weeks) to be placed into a social and affordable housing unit?

• 1: Average wait time (in weeks)
• 2: Do not know

Asset management and performance - Question identifier:16

In 2016, how many complaints were submitted to your organization related to the condition (i.e. major or minor repairs) of the social and affordable housing units owned by your organization?

• 1: Count
• 2: Do not know

Asset management and performance - Question identifier:17

As of December 31, 2016, what percentage of your organization's social and affordable housing structures was within 1000m of public transit?

• 1: Percentage
• 2: Do not know

Asset management and performance - Question identifier:18

As of December 31, 2016, what percentage of your organization's inventory of social and affordable housing have barrier free design structures?

Barrier free design: A building and its facilities can be approached, entered and used by persons with physical or sensory disabilities. They contain no architectural, design or psychological features that might prevent anyone, able-bodied or otherwise, from using the building or amenities.

Single detached house

• 1: Barrier free design structures - Percentage
• 2: Barrier free design structures - Do not know

Semi-detached house (include duplex / triplex housing)

• 1: Barrier free design structures - Percentage
• 2: Barrier free design structures - Do not know

Row house (a set of row houses represents one structure)

• 1: Barrier free design structures - Percentage
• 2: Barrier free design structures - Do not know

Apartment building (fewer than five storeys)

• 1: Barrier free design structures - Percentage
• 2: Barrier free design structures - Do not know

Apartment building (five or more storeys)

• 1: Barrier free design structures - Percentage
• 2: Barrier free design structures - Do not know

Asset management and performance - Question identifier:19

In 2016, did your organization calculate total greenhouse gas emissions from your social and affordable housing units?

• 1: Yes
• 2: No

Asset management and performance - Question identifier:20

In 2016, what were the total greenhouse gas emissions associated with your organization's social and affordable housing?

• 1: Tonnes
• 2: Do not know

Asset management and performance - Question identifier:21

In 2016, how many social and affordable housing units were built (e.g., with LEED ® certification) or have been retrofitted to increase their energy efficiency?

LEED: Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design.

• 1: Count
• 2: Do not know

Assets value and expenses of social and affordable housing - Question identifier:22

What is the 2016 estimated replacement value, required renewal budget, and actual renewal budget of the social and affordable housing structures owned by your organization?

Estimated replacement value: the approximate cost at the present time required to replace an asset, including demolition costs.
Does not include land costs or overhead such as administration.

2016 required renewal budget: the budget required for rehabilitation, reconstruction, or replacement of the assets to bring rating of all assets
to a rating of "good" within the 2016 reference year. These include any activities which increase the performance or capacity of existing fixed assets or significantly extend their previously expected service lives.

2016 actual renewal budget: the actual funds spent for the rehabilitation, reconstruction a replacement of the assets. These include any activities which increase the performance or capacity of existing fixed assets or significantly extend their previously expected service lives.

Required renewal budget and actual renewal budget does not include cost of regular maintenance and repairs.
Maintenance and repairs: Ordinary maintenance and repairs of fixed assets are activities that owners or users of fixed assets are obliged to undertake periodically in order to be able to utilise assets over their expected service lives (they are current costs that cannot be avoided if the fixed assets are to continue to be used). Maintenance and repairs do not change the fixed asset or its performance, but simply maintain it in good working order or restore it to its previous condition in the event of a breakdown.

Each asset should correspond to question 1.

Estimated replacement value

• 1: Single detached house
• 2: Semi-detached house (include duplex / triplex housing)
• 3: Row house (a set of row houses represents one structure)
• 4: Apartment building (fewer than five storeys)
• 5: Apartment building (five or more storeys)

Required renewal budget

• 1: Single detached house
• 2: Semi-detached house (include duplex / triplex housing)
• 3: Row house (a set of row houses represents one structure)
• 4: Apartment building (fewer than five storeys)
• 5: Apartment building (five or more storeys)

Actual renewal budget

• 1: Single detached house
• 2: Semi-detached house (include duplex / triplex housing)
• 3: Row house (a set of row houses represents one structure)
• 4: Apartment building (fewer than five storeys)
• 5: Apartment building (five or more storeys)

Assets value and expenses of social and affordable housing - Question identifier:23

In 2016, what was the total value associated with new social and affordable housing structures and units owned by your organization?

New social and affordable housing assets include the value of new construction, acquisition of assets, and the value of donated assets.

Social and affordable housing structures

• 1: Amount

Social and affordable housing units

• 1: Amount

What was the expected useful life (in years) of new social and affordable housing structures acquired by your organization in 2016?

New social and affordable housing assets include new construction, acquisition of assets, and donated assets.
Expected useful life of an asset refers to the service life or the productive life of the asset at the time of its acquisition regardless of their lives reported for income tax purposes.

• 1: Single detached house
• 2: Semi-detached house (include duplex / triplex housing)
• 3: Row house (a set of row houses represents one structure)
• 4: Apartment building (fewer than five storeys)
• 5: Apartment building (five or more storeys)

Feedback - Question identifier:1

How long did it take to complete this questionnaire?

• Note: Include the time spent gathering the necessary information.
• 1: Hours
• 2: Minutes

Feedback - Question identifier:2

We invite your comments about this questionnaire.