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POPULATION CHARACTERISTICS OF SCHEME IA AND DETAILED PHASE I AREAS

CIVIC CENTRE URBAN RENELTAL SCHEME

PREPARED BY: URBAN REMEaL DIVISION PLANNING DEPARTMENT CITY OF EDMONTON OCTOBER 1968

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CITY OF EDMONTON URBAN RENEWAL SCHEME DESIGNATION URBAN RENEWAL DIVISION -SEPTEMBER, 1968

11

PREFACE

This booklet provides information on the social, economic and housing characteristics of the population in, firstly, the Scheme IA area, and secondly, the detailed Phase I area of Scheme IA. The bulk of this information was collected during two surveys. The first survey, covering the Scheme IA area, was carried out between June and September, 1966, and the second survey, covering the detailed Phase I Area, was carried out during the summer of 1967.

The purpose of collecting this information was not only to provide base material necessary for the Urban Renewal Scheme, but also to have at hand information on the area which had not been available previously, which is of interest not only to the Planning Department, but also to the Social Service Department, the Parks and Recreation Department, Community Development workers, and all organizations and agencies who may be concerned with the social and physical development of this area.

The surveys attempted to obtain much detailed information, and in Some cases the information given to the interviewer was inaccurate. With regard to the survey of the Scheme IA area, for example, the annual family income was not always accurately reported. This occurred most frequently when both parents were employed, as in many cases only the principal wage earner was mentioned. Income from occasional part-time jobs was often not reported. These omissions were usually found in the surveys of the family households.

The survey of the detailed Phase I area is also limited in value in that in many cases the interviewer refused to answer questions. liany persons were apathetic, some were mentally disturbed, and many others did not appear to understand either the questions or the implications of the Urban Renewal Scheme. A few people did not understand or speak English.

Few persons knew of Public Housing facilities before they were explained to them by the interviewer, and the answers from the questions on displacement and willingness to move into public housing may be inaccurate in that people had to make a decision in a short time.

The marked difference in willingness of those interviewed to answer questions, between the surveyed population of the Scheme IA area and the detailed Phase I area, may be due to the

111

fact that the population of the latter includes a greater percentage of aged persons than is found in the Scheme IA area as a whole. These could be expected to be less interested in or concerned about the Urban Renewal Scheme than family households of the area, the majority of which live in the part of the Scheme IA area which is outside the detailed Phase I area.

Some of the aged persons are senile, and could not understand or answer the questions put to them, and other people of all ages, especially the Chinese, could not understand or speak English. As a result of the frequent lack of response to the interviewer, the statistical reliability of the survey has been decreased, as the sample surveyed becomes smaller. The smaller the number of persons in a survey, the less accurate and significant the survey becomes, and it is advisable to consider the material from the detailed Phase I survey as a guide with a reasonable degree of accuracy, rather than as a highly accurate analysis of the population of the area.

This report includes not only this survey information, but also general information on two of the major ethnic groups identified in the area, that is the Chinese Community, and the Indian and lietis households.

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CONTENTS

Page PREFACE IETHODOLOGY

1

RELOCATION, REDEVELOPIENT AND THE AGED

7

THE CHINESE CONHUNITY

11

INDIAN AND hETIS HOUSEHOLDS

15

POPULATION AND HOUSEHOLD

17

CHARACTERISTICS - SCIEHE IA AREA POPULATION AND HOUSEHOLD

28

CHARACTERISTICS - DETAILED PHASE I AREA APPENDICES A. TF,TTER TO ALL HOUSEHOLDS - SCHEIE IA SURVEY B. QUESTIONNAIRE - SCHEIE IA SURVEY C. QUESTIONNAIRE - DETAILED PHASE I SURVEY

IETHODOLOGY

1.

Scheme IA Survey Scheme IA is bounded by 100th Street to the west, the C.N.R. tracks to the north, 95th Street to the east, and the North Saskatchewan River bank to the south. Tithin these boundaries are portions of the Subdivision designed as River Lots 8, 10, 12 and 14.

The collection of basic population data concerning the area described above was carried out by one interviewer between June 15th 1966 and September 30th 1966. A four-page interview schedule was used and designated udih the household unit as the basic unit.

As far as was possible, only the permanent population of the area was interviewed.

That group was defined as consisting of all resident owners, and those households that rent on the basis of monthly tenure or longer. No specific attempts were made to interview the transient element of the area7 s population for several reasons. Firstly, the whole problem of the 7 skid row7 element is the subject of a separate study and, secondly, the interview schedule did not allow sufficient time to deal adequately with socially pathological characteristics.

In order to assist the interviewer in the accurate collection of data, letters from the office of the liayor were sent to every known householder in the area, asking for their co-operation.

Approximately one-third of the areais households were interviewed. Efforts were made to achieve as representative a sample of the area7 s household population as possible.

Complete coverage of the designated area was accomplished and frequent return visits were made to the known number of households where both parent worked during the day or where shift work might make significant changes in a household. This was in order to obtain a uniform percentage of interviewed households and to make the sample statistically accurate. Surprisingly, there were very few refusals to grant an interview so much so that the number of refusals could not be considered a population characteristic of any one ethnic, religious or age group. They were, in all cases, an isolated random phenomena.

Hith reference to the survey of the Detailed Phase I area, the intention was to make a complete count of all duelling units of the permanent population of the area. To accomplish this purpose, the Residential Structure and Household Inventory was to have a Household interview schedule, asking for household data such as rental, and amership, and population characteristics of that household such as number of occupants, income and age.

2.

There was also to be a Structure interview schedule. This schedule was to determine condition of duelling units for human habitation, number of windows, cubic feet of space, type of heading, accessibility to wash rooms, etc.

Using the two schedules, it was believed possible to obtain information about the total number of duelling units in the detailed Phase I area, the number of occupied and unoccupied units, the type of dwellings units available, the rental ranges as well as population and household characteristics of the occupied units.

There were three objectives of this survey.

1. Information for Detailed Phase I plan preparation of the Civic Centre Urban Renewal Scheme.

2. A complete record for the Redevelopment agency of all households, occupied or otherwise in detailed Phase I area.

3. Information for initiating future studies that might arise from the Boyle Street Social Seminar, conducted June 26 - 28, 1967.

Before actual interviewing tool: place, it was determined whether there was going to be a sample taken or whether there was to be full coverage of the subject. Hhether we used a sample or full coverage depended upon: (a) Length of the interview schedule. (b) Length of time available to conduct, administer and report the survey results.

If there was to be one interviewer with three months to conduct interviews, the following numbers of interviews could be collected, using the length of interview schedule as a variable.

Length of Schedule

Ho. of interviews _per hour

No. of Hours of Interviewing Time in Three hbnths

Ho. of Interviews Possible

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In view of the heterogenous population group that was to be interviewed, a fairly high coverage was needed in order to obtain valid results unless the survey was to be concerned only with gross characteristics such as type of households, sex, ownership, characteristics, etc. A high sample size was selected, using a short interview schedule (10 minutes) and assuming that there would be one interviewer for a three month period. It was estimated that there were approximately 900 households in the detailed Phase I area. Therefore it was theoretically possible for one interviewer to cover the entire household population in a three month period. It was decided, however, that unexpected difficulties, sickness, intervention of other tasks, would seriously cut into the theoretical time and therefore a 50 sample was selected. The table below indicates the expected number of interviews of a 50;; sample. sample sample 10' ,,- ; sample 20-:; sample 25J sample 33 1/3 sample 50`.; sample

40 80 160 200 266 400

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4.

As with the original survey for the Scheme IA area, the household unit was to be considered the basic unit of the interview schedule.

Having selected the sample size and the basic unit to be interviewed the following instructions were to be followed: 1. Complete structure code and unit number immediately. This is the only source of identifying information regarding location.

2. Description of Unit - This haa been deliberately left open to allow for the wide vareity of living accommodation in the area. However, be sure that your description includes the following: (a) Number of rooms excluding bathroom. (b) flrietherbathromn is in unit or shared.

-Ahether bathroom available to household is 1, (c) (d) Heating facilities.

or 3 piece.

Other information that seems pertinent to the description of the dwelling unit should also be included. This item need not be completely filled in prior to your interview but noted as the interview progresses.

3. Record everyone within the household unit -- not just the main family unit.

Boarders are to be considered part of the household but lodgers are considered as in a separate set of living quarters, occupying a sleeping unit.

4. There members of the household are absent during the interview, obtain their age, ethnic origin and employment status from person interviewed. If there is any reluctance on the part of the person interviewed to give this information, do not press mattelabut arrange suitable time to return. TT information about absent members is available but approximate, accept such information.

5. Ethnic Origin - pertains to cultural background of parents rather than national allegiance. For example, a respondent may be a Canadian national but his ethnic or cultural background may be of Chinese or Scandinavian origin. It would be helpful if people designate themselves as Irish, Scottish, Uelsh or English are included as all from the British Isles. Ethnic groups such as Swedish, Danish, Icelandic or Norwegian should be designated as Scandinavian. I personally do not see any reason why Polish, Ukranian, and Russian ethnic groups couldnYt be

5. all grouped together as Slavic but I understand that there is SC:Cie reluctance to do SO, and therefore respect the sensitivity felt here.

6. Employment Status - Should have five main groups

(a) Unemployed (b) Retired (c) Employed (d) Housewife (e) Student

Occasionally, you will find retired people who consider themselves retired but are actually employed and earning a substantial amount. The point of differentiation between retired and employment is with the amount earned. If it forms the major portion of his monthly income---he is employed.

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Leans of subsistence - will be quite varied and often there will be several sources. Attempt to obtain source and amount received from each source.

8. Occupation of is employed, is not to be receive many there.

Head - applies only to the head of the household. Tf the spouse only obtain her financial contribution to the household. Occupation confused with place of employment. This is the answer you will times. Always follow up with a question about what he (she) does

Length of Residence - if less than two years, can be taken down as the mailing address, or the last city (town) where he lived or an area of the city. The main reason for this question is to determine movement within the area and pants of the city from which people might come.

10. lionth17- Income - is the total income of the household. ihen boarders are included in the household group include in the total if related to the main family or if they are not charged full rates for board and room. Otherwise, exclude their contributions.

11. Relocation Choices - are centered about what the householder believes he will do in the case of displacement and the problems, that such an event might create for him. Prompting will be necessary in many cases, but leave some time after asking the questions for the respondent to think it through. Uhen he answers that he doesn 7t know or isn7 t interested, provide him with a series of possibilities listed on the survey sheet. Be sure that more than one alternative is provided.

6.

12. At the conclusion of their interview, ascertain that no significant question has been missed, complete all blanks in the survey form that are applicable and thank the respondent for his information and time.

13. Confidentiality should be assured to all people interviewed but with the provision that the information will form part of the records of the Redevelopment Agency.

It was also arranged that the information obtained from the survey would be coded and key-punched for either mechanical sorting or processinpby the computer. A map of the detailed Phase I area was outlined with each residential structure identified with a code number. Each household unit within the structures were to be assigned a number by the interviewer. All dwelling units within a structure were noted on interview administration sheets so that they could be located easily for return calls or by persons other than the original interviewer.

FOUT items of information had to appear on the administration sheets: A. B. C. D.

Units Units Units Total

interviewed. vacant. where interview was refused. units in structure.

The 50.; sample of household interviews was expected to be accomplished by interviewing in every second structure. The procedure was to take odd numbers of pre-coded structures and obtain as many interviews as possible. If this failed to obtain the number calculated (400), then to go through all even numbered structures. It was assumed that it -would be necessary to interview households in all structures in order to obtain the estimated 50 coverage. In any event, all structures would have to be visited by the interviewer to obtain the desired results of the survey.

The Structure schedule required a l010 coverage of the Detailed Phase I area. Information obtained on the Household schedule was to be used to draft the Structure schedule. The Structure schedule was to be designed to provide useful information for the enforcement of a Property Standards Bylaw as well as to obtain information for the detailed plan preparation of the Civic Centre Urban Renewal Scheme.

REDEVELOP=T , RELOCATION AND THE AGED

7.

This section is concerned wtth a description of the aged, one-person households in the Scheme IA area, and the difficulties created by the displacement and relocation of the aged population group.

The Urban Renewal Scheme is concerned with the problem of aged persons and the type and amount of accommodation available to them, as there is a responsibility to find safe, decent and sanitary housing at reasonable rentals for all persons displaced by Urban Renewal action. In the Redevelopment area, aged persons living alone constitute the largest and most difficult relocation problem, by reason of their numbers, age, extremely lau incomes and dependence on lau rentals.

The survey of the Scheme IA area revealed that of 2,700 people living in 1,500 households, almost one-third or approximately 900 of this number were aged 65 years or more.

It was also learned that most of these older people lived alone in small dingy rooms, and over 90.; of these rooms mere rented. Just over 50 of these aged, one-person households had an income of less than $1,000 annually, and 3.1:, of all households surveyed were in receipt of old age security. For many old people that was their only means of subsistence. Almost 60;,; of the persons, living alone, who rented accommodation paid 00 per month or less. The rooms rented for this amount had a minimum of space, were poorly serviced in terms of bathroom facilities, refrigeration and cooking facilities. The cooking facilities often consisted of a hot plate only. The rooms were usually inadequately lighted, dingy and dangerous.

The survey of the detailed Phase I area, covering a part of the Scheme IA area, gives additional statistical information on the aged, one-person households. In that survey, of all males and l0.9 of all females gave their ages as 65 years and over, and 5l.2Q of all one-person households were aged 65 years and over (75.2 were aged 56 years and over.) Of these aged persons, 54.75 were paying less than $25 per month for rent, and all were paying less than ;345 per month. liany of these persons lived in small .'sleeping.' or "housekeeping' rooms, which were often inadequately lighted and poorly serviced. Some older people had difficulty in climbing stairs, if they lived in rooms which were on upper floors of buildings, or in basements. lionthly income of these aged, one-person households ranged from approximately WO per month to

250 per month, 82.3 of all aged persons having an income of less than $150 per month.

Statistical data alone does not adequately describe the aged population of the Scheme IA area. This is an area where many of the older people were born in other countries and are fearful of leaving an area where, at least, they can find food and literature of their former homeland, and where they can associate with companions of the same ethnic background.

It is also an area where more and more of the hopeless, aging and poorly educated males are congregating, many of whom are apathetic towards their surroundings. They express a reluctance to /awe for the reason that they are too old to move and too old to accustom themselves to changed circumstances. In the detailed Phase I area, of the a-, ' persons living alone, 19.1 wished to stay close to the downtown area if they were displacea Urban Renewal, and there were several persons in the category of -donTt know" who had not really considered the problem and who were not willing to do so, being quite content in their present circumstances. liany of the aged persons felt an attachment for the area, as it offers them both cheap rentals and is convenient in being near the downtown area. They seem to appreciate the measure of independence they can have by living in the area and disposing of their meagre income as they wish. It is an area where they can survive economically, but beyond that bare survival, this group is trapped by circumstances partly fashioned by their awn patterns of behaviour but chiefly dictated by the level of their income.

PROBLEliS OF DISPLA.CELENT AIID FtELOCATIOTT. Uhen an area is proposed for redevelopment under Urban Renewal legislation there is both a moral and a statutary obligation to relieve the problems of displacement and relocation of the residents affected by Urban Renewal.

The aged person in the Scheme IA area poses a difficult relocation problem for several reasons: - Firstly the numerical size of the group that will require some assistance.

- Secondly, the health, age and sex structure, ethnic structure and incomes of the group create particular relocation difficulties.

- Thirdly, the amount of safe, decent and sanitary accommodation available to this group is severely limited in Edmonton.

9.

It is estimated that approximately 400 to 500 aged people will require subsidized rental accommodation. The possibility of finding suitable alternative accommodation for such a large number of people is in itself a difficult task; but to find suitable alternative accommodation for 400 to 500 people at reasonable rentals (which really means subsidized rentals) is quite impossible. The only subsidized rentals available to this group in Edmonton exists in Homes for the Aged and in Hursing Homes. Both these forms of accommodation have certain admission policies as well as capacity limits which limit their use as a resource.

In order to provide for this group, the Urban Renewal Division has proposed that public housing units for single persons and couples should be constructed near the redevelopment area, which would then be acceptable to people who wish to stay close to the downtown area.

Public housing for these people would ideally contain more than simply living units.

It is hoped that social and recreational facilities would be included to relieve the loneliness and boredom that are so common among many old people. It is also desirable that some form of health facilities should be available nearby, so that residents need not leave the neighbourhood if ill. hany elderly people in large impersonal housing schemes have a real, and legitimate fear of being taken away from their friends and familiar surroundings once they become ill. 'line public housing could provide many of the aged with suitable alternative housing, there are still particular relocation difficulties presented by the aged population in the Scheme IA area. For example, there are many old people in the area that rely heavily upon the food, literature and customs of their homeland. The most numerous and predominant of these ethnic groups are the aging Chinese community. iriany of them speak only Chinese; they desire to buy and eat only the food of their homeland, and they seek and find comfort in the associations found in the Chinese community. For this group, accommodation in Homes for the Aged would be difficult, as the people wouldLfeel -cut off' froat the communitYland the institution might find it difficult to accommodate the dietary habits of the Chinese people.

The age and sex structure of the aged in this area also creates relocation problems. aged, it is primarily a male society with a ratio of about four men to every woman Among the Scheme IA area (the ratio of the aged in the detailed Phase I area is six men to in the every woman). It is neither desired nor intended that the public housing units should become single menvs hostels, yet the heavy concentration of men from this area will create admission difficulties to public housing.

The age and health of the aged in the area mean that many of them may often require medical treatment, and nursing home care. This is borne out by the fact that in the survey of

10. the detailed Phase I area, 15.65 of the interviewees had some kind of a medical problem at the time that the survey was carried out, ranging from active tuberculosis to senility.

Several of the older people were rapidly approaching the stage at which they could not look after themselves. There are an estimated 330 persons over the age of 75 years in the Scheme IA area, and statistics from the Nursing Home division of the Alberta Government suggest that the percentage of people requiring nursing home care increases rapidly after 70 years of age. A survey of Nursing Homes revealed that there are no facilities of this kind close to the area where public housing units for old people should ideally be situated.

Income levels present perhaps the biggest relocation problem for the aged population group, in that because the levels are so low, little or no discretionary decision is available to the aged. For many old people, independence of action is important and it is one reason why they remain in the redevelopment area despite the low standard of accommodation which is available to them. If these people are to be relocated in public housing units, any rules and regulations must be minimized so that the relocatees do not feel they have lost their independence.

The existing resources in the community have been mentioned, but the situation demands further elaboration. A survey of the Homes for the Aged and Nursing Homes of the Edmonton area showed that, in both cases, such accommodation is filled to capacity, and these institutions also have waiting lists. A number of the Homes for the Aged also set conditions upon the admission of the applicants---they must leave the Homes if they become ill, and must conform to the rules and regulations.

Frequently these institutions are situated Some distance from the central area of the city, and all these factors would make the readjustment of any aged persons relocated in Old Persons Homes more difficult. Finally the rentals charged would be higher than the rentals now paid by the aged in the Scheme IA area, and are often combined with charges for meals, so that little discretionary income would be left to the relocated person. "iany of the aged in the redevelopment area have voluntarily selected the area despite the poor quality of accommodation, and others are attached to the area as that is where they have been educated, employed, raised a family and retired. Redevelopment of this area will mean to many people the removal of their homes and the destruction of all that is familiar and close to them.

This population group will find relocation and readjustment very difficult, and much work will have to be done by Social Uorkers for some time after relocation to help the readjustment process.

11.

THE CHEESE COHLIUNITY

The Chinese Community which is located in the Scheme IA area, mainly in the detailed Phase I section, constitutes a special problem with regard to redevelopment and relocation.

This problem concerns the possible disintegration of the community which is at present a tightly knit ethnic group, with its own cultural, social, recreational and religious organizations and facilities, when the area in :which it now lives and functions is redeveloped.

In November 1967, it was estimated by an officer of the Chinese Benevolent Association that the Chinese Community in Edmonton numbered about 4,000 people, and of this number it was estimated that approximately .1,500 lived within, or adjacent to the redevelopment area. In the Scheme IA area as a whole, 9 of all households were of Chinese ethnic origin, and a survey of the detailed Phase I area, in which most of the Chinese live, revealed that of a total of 297 persons, 70 or 23.6 were of Chinese ethnic origin. The various organizations within the Chinese Community, such as the Chinese Benevolent Association, Chinese Nationalistic League, and Chinese United Church, are also located in the Scheme IA area.

The Chinese population can be separated into two distinguishable groups. Firstly, there is the old, established community, consisting of older Chinese who have lived in Edmonton for many years, and who are traditionalist and conservative. These older Chinese depend on the facilities in the Scheme IA area, where they can buy or find, the food, literature and customs of their homeland. liany of them speak only Chinese, and depend on the representatives of the Chinese Associations to interpret for them in dealing with Canadians, and to help them in any matters connected with City Authorities. They seek comfort and companionship in the Chinese Associations, and will be greatly affected by relocation and the redevelopment of the small area which now supplies all their needs.

The other large Chinese group is that which is composed of younger Chinese, many of whom are new immigrants from Hong Kong, and who are not necessarily willing to respect the authority of the established Chinese. A few of these younger Chinese are well-educated, and have professional status. A Chinese official of the -Department of Citizenship and Immigration" stated in 1967 that he believed that the period of bringing over relatives was now over, and the most recent immigrants were separate family groups. He also believed that the new immigration regulations would probably bring a greater number of technical and professional

12.

Chinese into Edmonton, which is considered as a desirable place to settle. However, these highly educated Chinese do not usually live in the Scheme IA area. The Chinese living in this area are either the aged members of the community, or the young, relatively poorly educated Chinese, who are employed by the restaurants and other small Chinese businesses, such as grocery stores and laundries. These businesses are almost all located in the Scheme IA area, and, with the exception of the restaurants, serve only the Chinese Community, rather than the community of Edmonton as a whole.

- 11th the redevelopment of the area, both the Chinese people and the businesses will . have to be relocated, and this will pose many problems. The Chinese people, especially the aged persons living alone, wish to stay close together in an area where they can meet other people of their own race and culture, and where they can buy their own food and literature. ilany of the older Chinese families awn their homes, and are concerned in that they might find it difficult to find other houses to buy, or lthat they might be too expensive. In the Scheme IA area as a whole, 44 of all Chinese households own their homes, and 56 rent accommodation. The resident owners are usually established Chinese and have lived in Edmonton for many years, whereas the Chinese renting accommodation are usually recent arrivals from Hong Kong, or aged, one-person households.

The problem of the aged Chinese living alone, and how they are to be relocated has been discussed in the section -Redevelopment, Relocation and the Aged". The survey of the detailed Phase I area showed that of 70 Chinese living within the area, 20 or 28.6 were aged 60 and over. There were 20 Chinese households altogether, 10 being one-person households, 4 being two-person households and 6 being family households. Of the people living alone, 6 were found to be aged 60 years or more. These old persons all had low incomes, or had no income at all.

Two persons reported having no income, and were living on their savings, three persons receive old age security in amounts ranging from $75.00 to ca05.00 per month, and another person reported receiving unemployment insurance of 3.100 per month. These aged persons would be difficult to relocate, as it would be difficult to find them reasonable accommodation at a rent which they could afford to pay. These people seemed to be satisfied with their present accommodaton, which is usually a .thousekeeping- or -sleeping" room with shared bathroom facilities, and the rents paid are generally about $20 to (,;52.5 per month. One person was concerned about having to pay higher rents if he was relocated, two persons wished to stay in the area, and the remaining three people did not show any interest or concern about the Urban Renewal Scheme.

13.

The four other persons living alone present much the same relocation problems, as they also have low incomes and wish to remain in low-cost housing in the downtown area, among other Chinese people. This also applies to the two-person households, although one old couple owns their home, and another couple live in a house awned by a relative. Sharing a house owned by a relative among many people is a common living pattern in the Chinese Community.

One example of this is the case of a family of three who own their residence. The parents occupy a -sleeping- room in the basement, and the son has a -sleeping" room upstairs. A brother also has a single room upstairs. Another basement room is occupied by relatives, whose three children occupy an upstairs room, and the grandparents occupy a two-room unit on an upper floor. In all, there are eleven persons in this structure, all claiming a relationship to each other. These people thought that the house was in good condition, and that they would not like to see it demolished. They felt that they would not be able to find as central a location again.

Four other families own their own respective residences and all have a similar pattern of tenancy with grandparents and grandchildren living in various rooms, some paying rents. host of the adults seem to be employed, occupations being, barber, tailor, cook, grocer and garment Incomes range from *250.00 to *600.00 per month, and the families have lived in their worker. present homes for from 2p to 7 years. All were unanimous in their wish to remain close to the central area, although when Public Housing was explained to them, two families seemed to be in favour of it, as it would be beneficial to their children. Another family renting a suite were also in favour of Public Housing, but they wish to stay close to the downtown area.

From the survey information, it becomes evident that this segment of the Chinese community, though small, is closely integrated and definitely wishes to remain in the area. All the individually owned properties are located on two city blocks. This is convenient for those who work in the restaurants and special Chinese shops in the Central part of the city, and is near the school, Church and other Chinese organizations. It will prove difficult to find accommodation for these people which is as convenient as their present location.

It is also the task of the officers dealing with relocation to give help to any businesses which may wish to continue in another location, in finding suitable business premises.

In the case of many Chinese businesses, it will be uneconomic to continue in operation, as their trade will diminish as the community is scattered or moves away from the area. That may not apply to the Chinese restaurants which cater for a larger consumer group, and which will be able to continue quite prosperously in new locations outside the city centre.

There have been suggestions that the Chinese Community should finance a condorliniumtype development in the city centre, which would combine commercial premises for restaurants

14.

and shops, institutional facilities, such as meeting halls for Chinese Association events, and cultural and social activities, and thirdly, residential facilities, such as family &welling units, which could be purchased by their inhabitants. At a meeting in 1967, it was stated that there were a number of young Chinese families that would move from their present homes in the city to live in a development of this type. The development would best be located in the second or third stage areas of the Civic Centre Urban Renewal Scheme.

However, this proposal should be studied to see whether it was economically feasible, and whether a physical expression of the Chinese community in creating a real -Chinatown" atmosphere would be acceptable to both the existing Chinese Community and the public at large, with the knowledge that the community as it exists at present is diminishing, and the new Chinese coming to Edmonton will not necessarily share the hopes and customs of the community.

While a proposal such as this is acceptable,it is unlikely that the Chinese Community could build a new community in another part of the city, as they are not capable of forming a large development group with enough capital. The interest lies more strongly in leasing or buying spaces for businesses, if a private developer will provide the main building structure in the city centre area. This would attract other Chinese businessmen to come to Edmonton from Vancouver and Toronto.

INDIAU AND 1=IS HOUSEHOLDS

A survey of the Scheme IA area, and other visits to buildings in the area showed that there are very feu Indians and Letis in this area, comprising only twelve households altogether. Of these households, eleven were Indian households, which were exclusively family households, and ten of these families included children. This is the only ethnic group that consisted exclusively of family households. Seven of the ten family households with children had only one parent.

This ethnic group is therefore very different in age structure, from the other major ethnic groups in the Scheme IA area, in it2 s preponderance of members who are children. ':.Thereas the total age grouping in the area shows one-third of the population to be aged 65 years or older, the Indian population has .2.8;,. of its number four years old or less, and no-one of this ethnic group is older than 59 years. This is an area where Indian families with very young children settle, and they usually leave before the children reach school a The length of residence for an Indian household is therefore very short in comparison to the length of residence of other ethnic groups. Of the twelve households, eleven have lived in the area two years or less, and nine of these households have lived in the area one year or less. The short period of residence Day be due to the recent migration of Indian families who may eventually live longer in the area, or may be because Indian families find conditions too difficult in the area to remain. It is probable, however, that more Indian families will move into Edmonton in the future as the economic condition of Indians in rural parts of Alberta become relatively worse than conditions in the city. The low educational level of the Indian population and the lessening demand for their particular occupational shills, combined with the increasing mechanization of farms, of construction, of road buildings, leave the Indians in rural areas little option but to seek education and employment opportunit ies in the cities. Edmonton is certain to find more and more of its blighted areas accommodating Indian households.

The Indians have Come to Edmonton from several areas - one household from Peace River, another from Green Lake, another from Saddle Lake, two from High Prairie and two from Kinuso, for example. The reasons given by them for living in the Scheme IA area are varied.

liany Indian households found it difficult to find accommodation, as many people are prejudiced against them, and other households live in the area as it offers the cheapest accommodation and is near the downtown area where they may find work. Cheap accommodation is essential, especially for the one-parent households who live on Public assistance. Only four of the twelve Indian or bbtis households are supported by money from gainful employment, as the majority of adult members of these households are unemployed. host of the Indian households reported annual incomes between $1,000 to , ')3,000. Hone reported less than $1,000 per annun, and two reported earnings of over 4;/.

4 ,000 per annua.

This ethnic croup expressed much more positive feeling towards public housing than any other ethnic group. Seven of the twelve households were favourable towards public housing while only one household was firmly opposed to the scheme. This favourable attitude towards public housing may possibly be the result of being accustomed to the bureaucratic paternaliam of the Indian Affairs Branch, but is more likely to be the result of the difficulties experienced by Indian households in trying to find accommodation in the cit '.Then they do manage to find accommodation it is often substandard and overcrowded, so a program offering decent housing would be appreciated.

17.

POPULATION AND HOUSEHOLD CHARACTERISTICS SCHEHE IA AREA

The Scheme IA area was surveyed in the period between 15th June and 30th September 1966, and this survey provided the information on which this statement is based.

The information was derived from 424 households in the area, of which 65. are one-person households, and 32.8 are family households. Therefore, almost two-thirds of all households surveyed consist of single persons living alone, and the majority of these persons are aged 65 years and over. These people, mostly men, are now retired and usually have a low annual income, the majority receiving less than .d1000 per annum. They rent low cost accommodation, and for this reason live in substandard conditions, enjoying a minimum of household facilities. This group is a major relocation problem see -Redevelopment, Relocation and the Aged" ).

Family households include both couples and families with children, and the latter group constitute 16;0 of all surveyed households in the Scheme IA area. Family size is above the city average, with 4.43 persons per family household. Family size is an important consideration with regard to relocation problems. Large family units have difficulty in finding suitable accommodation as well as finding it more difficult to pay the rent required for such accommodation. Family size is also a useful indicator when determining the number of units of public housing required and the size of those units. It is becoming more and more difficult to find apartment suites or houses that can accommodate a large family without overcrowding. The majority of houses in the suburbs of Edmonton are three bedroom houses. A survey of apartments in the downtown area :reveals that 43, are one bedroom units, 23,.; are two bedroom units and the remaining J4 are three bedroom units. A large number of families have only one parent; approximately one-fifth of all the families are of this type. The social allowance programme of the Provincial :Telfare Department is the chief means of subsistence, and those receiving social allowance are usually deserted, separated or divorced women with preschool or school age children. They form approximately 5 of all households in the Scheme IA area.

A comparison between the age groups of the area, and the city average reveals great differences in the age structure. Host significant is the predominance of older people, and the smaller percentage of persons between the ages of 0-44 years in the area

18. compared to the city average. The latter is the age group which contains the families with preschool and school age children, and this -family- age group is leaving the area much faster than family formation within the area, or family immigration to the area.

As far as usual length of residence is concerned, the area is one in which approximately 60;.; of the households have lived in their present residence for five years or less; there is relatively little difference between household groups in length of residence, although 670 of the one-person households had lived in the area for five years or less. ihile the survey did not inquire in depth in this Natter, it is probable that older people with limited incomes are attracted to the area because it offers a downtown location at very inexpensive rentals. In the case of the older, one-person households, relatively short length of residence may mean that a person has made a number of moves from one dwelling to another within the area, combined with a recent influx of older people. Short length of residence, in the case of family households, may mean that immigrant families, and families from depressed rural areas of Alberta, remain in the area until their children reach school age, and at this point the physical and social hazards of the area, and the lack of community facilities, persuade the family to move.

This area, as has been mentioned, is one of low-cost accommodation, which is a biz attraction to those people with limited incomes. The majority of people (80.1) pay rentals between $20 and $60 per month, and the average amount of rent paid is influenced by the large number of one-person households in the area. Tenant family households usually paid $40 and more per month for rent, and 10.7;, of all households in the Scheme IA area paid $60 and over per month. The survey found that 82.0 of all tenant-occupied households were fully serviced; that is, the rent included light, gas and water charges. However, the quality of the services was often minimal. In the majority of cases, serviced households consisted of one room (occasionally two rooms), and were poorly lighted, inadequately heated and sparcely furnished.

Bathroom facilities were often shared, cooking facilities were often only a hot-plate, and frequently there were no refrigeration facilities. Almost all (91;0) of all one-person households lived in rented accommodation, whereas family households (couples and families with children) are much more evenly divided between owner-occupied and tenant-occupied dwellings. The family households are fairly equally divided in their occupancy characteristics between couples and families with children, but the ethnic origin of the household reveals distinct differences in the pattern of ownership and tenancy. 'irith reference to the major ethnic groups in the area, 85,.; of all Ukranian households own their accommodation, whereas only 17; of all Anglo-Saxon households own their homes, W.; of Chinese households, but none of the Indian households own their homes.

As has been stated, law-cost accommodation is perhaps the main attraction of the area, especially for those people with low incomes. The reasons for the low average household income of the inhabitants is partly that a large percentage of the inhabitants are aged 65 years and over who are living on old age security or old age assistance, income from the Department of Veterans Affairs, savings and various other sources, which may give them a steady, but low income. Approximately 40., of all households subsist on old age pensions, which is greater than the number of those households which live on income gained from employment (36,,). 5,, of all households live on savings, and 2;; are supported by members of their families. Almost half of the households in the area (49;J) are dependent on some form of public assistance, and most of this goes to the aged persons living alone. Old age security is granted upon application to ever: individula over 70 years of age; old age assistance is granted upon application and after a means test to every person over 65 years of age. The Department of Veterans Affairs provides a pension to veterans with war injuries, and many of these are Jorld Jar I veterans. The :Tidows Pension is most often granted in the later years of a persons life, so that it is only the Social Allowance Programme that provides for families. A significant percentage of the heads of family households were unemployed (20 and this figure greatly exceeds the average unemployment in Edmonton, or in Canada as a whole. Larry of the families who came into this category were one-parent households, and the survey indicated that many heads of households lad occupations or were employed in industries that were subject to periods of unesiplo:naent at certain times of the year.

The result of this large percentage of persons living on pensions, or who were unemployed is that the average income per household in the Scheme IA area is very low. Of the one-person households, 5LJ had incomes of less than ,1_000 per year, MJ have incomes of less than V2.000 per year, and only l0 have incomes of over 4000 per year. Of the couples living in the area, 50',.; had incomes of less than '2.000 per year, and in the case of the families with children, 27, had incomes of less than 432000 per year and 20,J had incomes of over 4000 per year.

Ethnic origins have already been mentioned in connection with occupancy characteristics of the area. The Scheme IA area contains a number of different ethnic groups, but those people of Uhranian 3l;.;) or Anglo-Saxon 21J origins predominate. In contrast to widely-held opinion in the area, there are relatively few households of Indian or iietis origin (3). It is possible however, that many of the transient element may be of Indian or 1,:etis origin, and may thereby create an impression of greater numbers within the area. Prejudice toward the Indian persons and families also magnifies their real numbers.

20.

Idany of these households of various ethnic groups have immigrated to Canada fairly recently. This factor has significance because many of these households retain customs of their homeland and find it dlfficult to adapt themselves to living in the suburbs, or in Institutions for the aged. The area has stores where they can buy food and literature from their homeland, and in some communities institutions for religious worship, education and social intercourse exist.

The survey attempted to find out attitudes within the area towards public housing, as these are one factor determining public housing demand. It was found that the majority of residents in the area knew very little about public housing, so that a response was recorded after the interviewer had described it in general terms and shown photographs of public housing projects in various parts of Canada. It was found that s of the one-person households, 15% were in favour of the Scheme, 26% were opposed to it and 43,;., were indifferent. The couples were found to be more definite in their feelings towards the idea, in that 20% were in favour of the scheme, 32% were opposed to it, and 29% were indifferent. The families with children were the group who were most in favour of the scheme, with 26% in favour, 30% opposed, and 20% indifferent. "ihile attitudes toward Public .1-ibusing provide an indication of possible demand, income levels are the most important factor. 6L- of the household couples and 58% of the family households with children have incomes between i1000 and 0000 per annum, while 740, of the one-person households have annual incomes of 52000 or less. These income levels are so low that, in some instances, they are insufficient to maintain life over an extended period of time. The -Bureau of Labour Statistics-, an agency of the United States Government places the poverty line standard for a one-person household at 0000 per year. Even taking a generous allowance for the Canadian cost of living and the lower living standards, an annual income level of 432000 for single households and 0000 for family households must be considered close to, or below, the poverty line. The Dominion Bureau of Statistics has made estimates of poverty standards in Canada, these being derived from survey information of the low-income population of the country, which was based on 1961 Census material. Low-income families are defined as those families with incomes insufficient to buy much more than the basic essentials of food, clothing and shelter. On average, Canadian families allocate half their income for these needs, and so it was concluded that when a household uses a great deal more than half its income on essentials, then the household is living in straightened circumstances.

The poverty -standardp' or line was first determined to be the point at which a family or household is using 70 or more of its income on buying food, clothing and shelter.

On the basis of the present cost of living indices, this would mean that a single person with an

21. income below $1,500 per annum, families of two with an income below $2,500 per annum, families of three with an income of less than $3,000 per annum, and families of more than three with incomes below $3,500 per annum, are living in poverty.

This first estimate has since been revised, and the poverty line is now set at being the point at which a family or household spends 60 or more of its income on the basic essentials of food, clothing and shelter. This means that a single person with an income of less than 42,000 per annum, two persons with an income of less than 0,500 per annum, and families of three or four with an income of less than $4,000 per annum, are living in poverty.

It must be remembered that these estimates are only -tentative-, and are not fully adequate as measures of poverty, and a thorough analysis of needs and expenditure patterns of different types of families and households is needed. These law income groups will form the hard core of the public housing demand regardless of their attitude towards public housing, as their economic resources leave them little alternative.

Attitude towards public housing was also examined with reference to the occupancy characteristics of family households, that is, whether they rented or owned their homes. It was found that family households who are resident owners expressed little supporL for public for couples, and ll for families with children). In view of their opposition housing and the fact that cash settlements for their property would enable them to relocate immediately (the number of resident owners with mortgages being insignificant) few of these family households would be expected to move into public housing regardless of income level.

The most favourable response to public . housing came from those couples who rent their accommodation (37), and close behind from those families with children who rent accommodation (3o) .

The lease favourable response towards public housing came from.the one person household. This household group is also the most numerous in the area, and is the group most in need of public housing. Of the 1,007 one-person households in the area, 9l rent their accommodation, 9%6 of these have an income of $4,000 or less per annum, and 696 are aged 60 years and older.

22.

(i)

HOUSEHOLD GROUPS 11TH III SCI-a-TE IA AREA Household Group One-person Couples Two or Libre unrelated adults Families with children TOTAL

(ii)

Number of Households 279 70 6

Percentage of Total 65.8 16.5 1.4

69

16.3

424

100.0(,-.)

Humber of Households 76 i6 21 15 8

Per of Total 53 11 15 10

FAHILY SIZE Persons per Famil7 Household Two-persons Three-persons Four-persons Five-persons Six-persons Seven-persons Eight-persons lane-persons Ten-persons TOTAL

.4 1

6 3

2 143

100.0

Family households of two persons include both childless couples and one-parent households with one child.

23. (iii)

(iv)

AGE STRUCTURE OF POPULATION IN SCHTi-iE IA AREA Age Group 0 - 4 years 5 - 9 10 - 14 15 - 19 20 - 24 25 - 29 30 - 34 35 - 39 40 - 44 45 - 49 50 - 54 55 - 59 60 - 64 65 - 69 70 - 74 75m

Numbers 195 138 ill 126 87 84 138 103 157 149 165 168 193 326 4.4 336

TOTAL

2,722

LENGTH

OF RESIDENCE - ALL HOUSEHOLDS

Number of Years - 2 6 - 10 Over 10 TOTAL

*)111.5,..t.11.1.1M11111.:10.

Percentage of Households 42.4 13.1 24.0

100.00

Percentage of Area Population 7.2;0 5.1 4.1 4.7 3.2 3.1 4.7 3.0 5.6 5.5 6.1 6.2 7.1 12.0 9.0 12.4

100.0'„,

21.

(v)

OCCUPAHCY CHARACTERISTICS OF HOUSEHOLD GROUPS Occupancy Characteristic Own Rent

OCCUPAHCY

Couples 413 57

CHARACTERISTICS OF ETHNIC GROUPS

Ethnic Group Ukranian Anglo-Saxon Chinese Indian (vii)

One Person Households 0., JP 91

Rent

OTn

15

6);-) 17c,

56/,

- "ALS PAID FOR ACCOILODATIOH III THE sci-EriiiE IA AREA Huuher of Amount of Rental Households Iionthly 14 Ho uonthly rent 16 Rent under 20 , 183 Rent between U20-09 79 Rent between 0-59 35 Rent $60 and Over TOTAL

327

Percentage of Total (Surveyed 4.3 4.9 56.0 24.1 10.7 100.0',.;

Farailies Uith Children 44;s; r/

25. ( viii )

EI2LOYIEHT STATUS - HEADS OF HOUSEHOLDS II: AFLEA

Status

Percentage of Total

Eraployed Retired Self-eaployed Unehiployed TOTAL

50 3 14 100.

=HS OF SUDSISTEHCE - ALL HOUSEHOLDS

Income Sources Emplo-,,rfaent Public Assistance Old Age Security Old Age Assistance Social Allowance Departylent of Veterans Affairs Disability, :Tidows Pension Savings Private Pensions Family iLeiHers Unemplo-y-aent Insurance rkinen S C or_ipe n s at ion Hot specified or other TOTAL

Humber of Households 148

136 26 21

Percentae of Total 36;,

33 7 5

14

5 20 14 7 5 5 12

413

3 100.0p;

(x)

=OLE 17WELS OF HOUSEHOLD GROUPS Annual Income Levels Less than $1000 $1,000 - $2,000 $2,001 - $3,000 3,001 - $4,000 Over $4,000 TOTAL

One Person Households 51 19;, 11;.; 9;,; 103

Couples 113 39 22;., 9;, 19.,

100.0;;;

100.0$

Families ',Tith Children 2; 25.; 33$ 223 ; 20;.;

ETHNIC °RI= - HOUSEHOLDS IN SC1EA:17 Country of Orin Ukraine British Isles China Poland German;-/Austria Yugoslavia Scandinavia Native Indian or hetis Hungary Italy Other TOTAL

Number of Households 131 100 38 30

Percentage of Total (Approx.)

313 23 9 7

25 25 25 13 8

21 424

5

100.0;6

100.0

27. (xi)

ATTITUDE TOWARDS PUBLIC HOUSING - BY HOUSEHOLD GROUP Attitude

One Person

Couples

15,' 26;; 41,-; 7, 11

2O/.; 32 29;, l3„, /.. o„,

Favourable Opposed Indifferent Unsure Hot Recorded TOTAL

100.0.;

100.0;:;

Families With Children 26,.

3%; 20 20., '7;, 100.0

(xiii) ATTITUDE TOWARD PUBLIC HOUSING - FAILTLY HOUSEHOLDS BY OCCUPANCY CHARACTERISTICS BENT

O IN

Attitude Favourable Opposed Indifferent Unsure Hot Recorded TOTAL

CouoTes

3; 53.; 35, ,..fc • ap

1, 100.0

Families 'ath Children

il 43, 29 D-4,)

, J i-'

100.0

Couples

Families With Children

37:,

36

l4;J 2%; 20;,;

22 14;, 2.5;J

9;,

T,

100.%;

100.0

28.

POPULATIOH AHD HOUSEHOLD CHARACTERISTICS - DETATTT,D PHASE IA AREA

A survey was carried out in the detailed Phase I section ofthe Scheme IA area during the summer of 1967, and the information on which this statement is based was provided by the 180 households which were interviaued.

These 180 households contained 297 people of which 199 were men and 98 were women.

Of the households, 133 or 74,. were one-person households, 26 or 14.4;j were two-person households, and 21 or 11.6 were family households with children. Therefore, almost threequarters of all the households surveyed consisted of single persons, living alone, and, as in the Scheme IA area, the majority of these persons were over 65 years of age (51.2). host of the aged persons are Den (84.6;;) and are now retired, and therevore have ahr annual income. They often live in substandard accommodation, as this is the only accommodation at a rent which they can afford to pay. There are very feu people living alone who are in the younger age groups; nine persons were living alone (670 of the total) who were under the age of 35, 19 (14.3) were under the age of 45, and approximately one-quarter of the total 25.1) were under the age of 55. These persons are often unemployed, especially those of middle age, and they subsist on various forme of Public assistance, such as unemployment insurance or Disability pensions, or on savings.

The age structure of the population in the area is similar to that of the Scheme IA area as a whole, in that there is a predominance of older people, and a smaller percentage of persons between the ages of 0 - 4 years than is found in the city as a whole. In the male population of the area, 38.5 of all men are aged 65 years or more, whereas the percentage of men between the ages of 0 - 44 years is 32.3, just less than one-third of the total. The female population in the detailed Phase I area is more evenly distributed among the age groups, with 13.9 of all women aged 65 years or more, and 50`:: of all women in the 0 - 44 age group.

Household size, that is, the numbers of people in a household, is another indication of the distinctive population and housing characteristics of the detailed Phase I area; i.e. the predominance of the one-person household, and the very few family households in the area.

Of the total number of households, only 2.2;, are three-person households, 4.4,, are four-person households, 1.6,.; are five-person households, 1.7 are six-person households and 2.2J of all households had seven or more members. Family size of those families with three or more members

was 4.5 persons per family, although when the parried couples were included in the category of family households the number of persons per household went down to 2 persons. host of the married couples in the area are old, the husband has usually retired fromworlz, and they have been living in the area, if not in the same arellinL;, for many years. harry couples own their own homes, and these dwellings probably contained families originally until the children grew older and left home.

Household accommodation found in the area varies from one-room cluellings, in which 115 households live (63.9;, of total households), to whole houses in which 11 families live (6.1 of the total number of households. However, more than three-quarters (76.7) of households are accommodated in one or two-room dwellings.

Length of residence in the present accommodation varies greatly in the area; there is quite a large percentage of households 1-TiliO have lived in their present accommodation for a very short period of less than six months (16.1e), and more than a third (3.9) of households have lived in their present accommodation for less than 2 years. As in the Scheme IA area, approximately 60',; of households have lived in their present residences .for 3Thre years or less. At the other end of the scale, a large percentage of households (26.7) have lived in their present accommodation for more than E:; years, and 19,.; have lived in the same place for more than 12 years. The longest period of residence for any household is 47 years. It can be seen from an analysis of length of residence by types of households, that those households which have been living longest in their present accommodation are the couples.

Thirty-two percent of all couples have been living in present accommodation for more than ten years, whereas only 27.3 of all family households, and only 21.4J of all one-person households have remained for that length of time.

As has been mentioned in the statement on the Scheme IA area, it is probable that older persons with limited incomes are attracted to the area, because it offers a downtown location at very inexpensive rentals, and in the case of the older, one-person households, relatively short length of residence may mean that a person has made a number of moves from one duelling to another within the area, combined with a recent influx of older people. Short length of residence, in the case of family households, nay mean that immigrant families, and families from depressed rural areas of Alberta, remain in the area until their children reach school age, and then the physical and social hazards of the area, and the lack of community facilit ies, persuade the families to Dove. There are, in fact, very few family households in the detailed Phase I area who wish to move or could move as those families with snail children are usually either Chinese or have at least one Indian or lietis parent.

A number of those people who have lived in their present accommodation for many years own their accommodation. Of the total number of households, 27 own their homes (25 outright and 2 on a mortgage basis), and 153 households rent their accommodation. These occupancy characteristics can be analysed in terms of types of households, and, from this analysis it can be seen that family households have the highest percentage of households who own their homes,. (59.1) and that one-person households have the lowest ownership percentage (6.84. Those couples who owned their own homes were nearly all retired people whose children had Lrom up and moved auay, and who ouned their property outright. 7Jath reference to the major ethnic groups of the family households it was found that 75$ of Ukranian families awned their accommodation, approximately of all Chinese families auriecl their accommodation, and no Anglo-Saxon families or Indians or mixed families owned their accommodation.

This area is one of low-cost accommodation, and this is a big attraction for those people with limited incomes. The rent paid by tenant households rang from no rent at all to over 100 per month, although only one household is recorded as paying over $100 per month for rent. Approximately 43 of all tenants pay rents betueen 4;21 and $30 per month, 17.6$ pay rents between '$3:1_ and W1.0 per month, and 86.9;, of all tenants pay less than $50 per month. Six point five. percent pay no rent at all, most of these people being caretakers in the buildings in which they live. Illth regard to one-person households, the majority (5 1.2$ ay rents of between $21 and $30 per month, and no households are recorded as paying more than $70 per month. Family households usually paid more for accommodation than oneperson households, and two-thirds of these families paid more than 24.0 per month. In many cases, especially with regard to the one-person households, the rent included services, but the quality of these services was minimal. In the majority of cases, the serviced households consisted of one or occasionally two rooms, and were poorly lighted, inadequately heated and sparcely furnished. The buildings were often in bad structural condition. Bathroom facilities were often shared, and in some cases the rooms and communal facilities were dirty and badly maintained.

Although the average rent paid is law, the percentage of monthly income paid in rent is quite substantial, and it is probable that this is almost equal to the percentage of income paid in rent in Edmonton as a whole. Of the 116 households which gave information on this natter, 52.6 paid under 25;:) of their total income on rent, and 47.4 paid more than 25 of their income. 59.1 of households paid between 725 and 3.5" of their monthly income on rent.

31.

Total monthly income of the households in the detailed Phase I area varied enormously.

Thirty-three or 20.1J of all households which 'gave information on income levels, had an income of between $51 and $100 per month, while 2 or l,2p of these households had an income of over ' ,600 per month. The average of known monthly income falls in the range of $100 to $150, per month, and 20 households (12.3A were living on savings. The reason for the low average household income of the inhabitants is partly that a large percentage are aged 65 years and over, and they are living on old age security or old age assistance, income from. the Department of Veterans Affairs, savings, and various other sources, which may give them. a steady, but low, income. Fifty four point eight percent of all households subsist on old age pensions, which is r:reater than the number of households which live on income formed from employment (30 Fifteen point one percent of all households live on savings, and 16.6;., are supported by :Telfare and Social Allowance payments. Of the one-person households, 18.2;0 are employed, 25;,) are living on private means (see definition in table), and 54.6',0 live on Public Assistance, 37.9" of those being on Old Age Pensions. The average known income of one-person households lay in the income group of $101 - $150 per month, the average known income for couples is in the range of $201 $250 per month, and the average known income for families is over $300 per month. Therefore, the average income per household in the detailed Phase I area is very low.

Ethnic origins have already been mentioned in connection with occupancy characteristics of the area. The detailed Phase I area contains a variety of people of different ethnic groups, but those people of Chinese (23.6',J) and Dritish (20.2) origins predominate, with nranians making up another large group (19.5) in the population. There are a few Indians or lietis who live permanently in the area, but it is possible that many transient men may be of Indian or Hetis origin, and this may create an impression of greater numbers within the area. Prejudice towards them also magnifies their real numbers.

Jany of these households of varied ethnic origin have migrated into Canada fairly ' recently, and the area serves as a -transition stage- where the people can adjust themselves to life in Edmonton, and where they can find people of the same ethnic group, and their own foods and literature.

The survey attempted to find out attitudes towards public housing which were held by the inhabitants of the area, as attitude is one factor which determines public housing demand. It was discovered that feu people knew much about public housing, and in many cases a response was recorded after the interviewer had described the scheme. It was found that the

greatest support for public housing came from one-person households, where 2l.7.; of these households were interested/in favour of the scheme (80.5;J of the total households in favour of/interested). Of the two-person households, 15.4,:, of the total were interested in/in favour of public housing, (11.1,, of the total households in favour of/interested). The group which gave least support to Public Housing was that of family households, of which only 14.1.; were in favour of/interested in the scheme (8.4 of the total interested). Therefore, it would seem that the percentage of households who expressed support for public housing in 1967, was less than the percentage who supported the scheme in 1966, during the survey of the Scheme IA area. Ioreover, the percentages of different types of households who favoured Public housing - would seem to have been reversed between 1966 and 1967. However, it should be remembered that the accuracy of any kind of question on -attitude- is always open to doubt especially when it reflects a superficial response of a generally apathetic population which does not know a great deal about the scheme. It also requests a sharp -yes or no- response to the idea of public housing which does not really exist in the minds of most people. :Mile attitudes toward public housing provide an indication of possible demand, income levels are the most important factor, and it has already been stated that the income levels of all household groups in the detailed Phase I area are very low. The dominion Bureau of Statistics have set certain standards which define the level below which persons are living in poverty see the statement on SchemeIA), and most of the households in the area would be classified as living in poverty. These law income groups will form the hard core of public housing demand regardless of their attitudes towards public housing, as their economic resources leave them little alternative.

The survey also attempted to discover where households would like to move if they were displaced by urban renewal action. It was found that half the households had ether not given any thought to the natter, or had not cone to any definite conclusion. Of the households who had COlae to a conclusion concerning relocation, 14.4p. wished to stay close to the dountolm area, (32 of couples), and l5 wished to move to public housing. Four percent of all households wished to neve to homes for the aged, and these were all single people, living alone or couples. The other households would move to other areas of the city, or other areas of Canada. "ihen asked as to whether they were concerned about anything in particular, 63.4 of all households did not say anythinE on the natter or said that they had no concerns. Fifteen point sik percent of all households had medical and health problems, and these were almost all single persons living alone. Seventy-seven percent were concerned as to the type of residential

33. accommodation that ,..rould be available if they rere relocated, and 1.7,'J uere concerned about the possibility of having to pay higher rents. Other areas of concern were varied - some Indians and iietis were troubled by discrimination against them mhich makes it difficult for them to find accommodation. Other older persons were concerned that if they were relocated they might be forced to go into old persons hones, and if they were found other accommodation it might not be near shops and a public transport route, so that they would feel isolated and -cut off •• from their friends. Some persons -were concerned by the lack. of privacy and too much noise that they might experience if they were relocated into public housing.

The surveys of the detailed Phase I area and the Scheme IA area show the problems which will result iron urban renewal and the relocation of the population of the area, and moreover indicate that these problems are intensified in the detailed Phase I area of the total area, where there is a greater concentration of old persons, and persons belonging to distinct ethnic groups.

34.

(i)

HOUSEHOLD GROUPS UITHIH DETAILED PHASE I AREA

Household Group One-person 'D.-To-person Families u-ith children TOTAL (ii)

OHE

Huallber of Households 133

26 21 180

Percentage of Total 74.0,j 14.4% 11.6 100.0

PERSOH HOUSEHOLDS - AGE STRUCTURE

Age Group 0-25 26 - 35 36 - 45;j 46 - 55 56 - 65 66 - 75 76 - 05 u2.

TOTAL

Humber of Households 5 4 io 14 32 45

16

4

Percentage of Total 3.7 3.0 7.6 10.5 24.0;.; .34.6,.; 13.55) 51.2.; 3.M 100.0;.,

35. (iii) AGE STRUCTURE - TOTAL POP1JLATI0J OF AREA Age GrouP 0 - 4 5 - 9 10 - 14 15 - 19 20 - 24 25 - 29 30 - 34 35 - 39 40 - 01 45 - 49 50 - 54 55 - 59 60 - 64 65 - 69 70 - 74 75 - 79 80 - 84 85 - 89 90+ Unknown TOTAL

HALES Percentage Hunber 3.0 6 0 4.1 6 3.0 0L.0 0 4.0 0.5 1 3.5 7 10 5.1 5.1 10 7.0 14 4.1 8 5,1 10 26 13.0 12.0 24 12.5 25 0 4.0 8.0 16 1.0 2 1.0 2 _ 199

100.0

Age Group 0 - 4 5 - 9 10 - 14 15 - 19 20 - 24 25 - 29 30 - 34 35 - 39 40 - 44 45 - 49 50 - 54 55 - 59 60 - 64 65 - 69 70 - 74 75 - 79 80 - 84 85 9(Yr Unknoirn TOTAL

FE1.1= Number 9 5 7 4 4 3

7 13 2 5 1 2 1 0 3

Percentage

S. 4.9 5.9 6.8 4.0 4.0 4.9 3.0 7.8 6.8 5.9 6.8 12.6 2.0 4.9 1.0 2.0 1.0 3.0 100.0;,

(iv)

HOUSEHOLD STZF Number of Persons 1 person 2 persons °_) persons 4 persons 5 persons 6 persons 7 persons 8 persons TOTAL

(v)

Number of Households 133 25 4

Percentage of Total 74.0;; 13.9 2.2

8 3 3

4.4 1.6 1.7

2 2

1.1 1.1

180

100.W

TYPE OF ACCOHMODATIOH — BY HOUSEHOLDS

Type of Accommodation 1 room duelling 2 room dwelling 3 room dwelling 4 room dwelling 5 room dwelling Single floor of house Lihole house TOTAL

Humber of Households 115 23 16

Percentage of Total 63.9 12.8

7

8.9 3.9

1

0.5

7

3.9

11

6.1

180

100.0cA,

37. (vi)

LENGTH OF RESIDENCE - BY HOUSEHOLDS Length of Residence Less than /o months 6 months - 1 year 1 year - 2 years 3 years - 5 years 6 years - 8 years 9 years - 12 years 13 years+ Unknown TOTAL

Number of Households 29 17

24 38 29

Percentage of Total 16.L 0

9.5 13.3 21.1 11.1

14 34 4

7.7 19.0

180

100.0;0

2.2

(vii) LENGTH OF RESIDENCE - BY TYPE OF HOUSEHOLD - PERCENTAGE Length of Residence Less than 1 year 1 year - 5 years 6 years - 10 years 11 years - 15 years 16 years - 20 fears 20 years + Unimoun TOTAL

One-person Households 26.5,,

Two-person Households 20.0„,

Family Households 13.6„,

35.7

36.0

16.7

12.0 12.0

27.3 31.8 9.1 9.1

7.6 6.0 6.0

-

1.5

16.0 4.0

100.03

100.03

9.1

100.0

38. (viii) OCCUPANCY CHARACTERISTICS - BY HOUSEHOLD'S Occupancy Condition Rent Accommodation Own Accommodation TOTAL

Number of Households 153 27 180

Percentage of Total 85', 15 100;.;

OCCUPANCY CHARACTERISTICS - NY TYPE OF HOUSEHOLD - (PERCENTAGES) Occupancy Condition Rent Accommodation Gun Accommodation TOTAL

(x)

One-person Households 93.2;,; 6.8

Two-person Households 80;; 20

Family Households 40.9 59.1

100.0

100, ON

100.0

OCCUPANCY CHARACTERISTICS - BY ETHNIC GROUPS Ethnic Group Chinese Ukranian Anglo-Saxon Indian or lietis

Own 50 75 0 0

- (PERCENTAGES)

Rent 50 25 100 100

39. (xi)

RENTAL CHARGES FOR ACCOLLHODATION Rent in dollars) No rent (caretaking-) 0-10 11 - 25 26 - 35 36 - 45 46 - 55 56 - 65 66 - 75 76 - 85 86 - 95 95+ Unknown TOTAL

(xii)

Number of Households 9 0 50 48 18 9 5 3 1 i 2 7 153

Percentage of Total 5.9,; 32.7 31.4 11.7 5.9 3.3 2.0 0.7 0.6 1.3 4.5 100.03

RZHTAL CHARGES - (PERCENTAGES) - BY TYPE OF HOUSEHOLD Rent (in dollars) 3 Ho rent 1-10 11 - 20 21 - 30 31 - 40 41 - 50 51 - 60 61 - 70 71-- 80 81 - 90 91 - 100 100+ Unknown TOTAL

One-person Households i r • 0.,,, 13.0 51.2 16.3 4.9 0.8 1.6 4.9 100.0

pro-person Households 5.0 5.0 30.0 30.0 20.0 5.0 5.0 100.0

Family Households 11.1,j 22.3 11.1 11.1 11.1 11.1 11.1 11.1 100.0

40. (xiii)

PERCENTAGE OF liONTILLY INCONE PAID FOR ACCONLODATION

Per Paid 0- 5 6 - 10 11 - 15 lo - 20 21 - 25 26 - 30 31 - 35 36 - 40

Humber of Households 6 12

Not hnown

15 21 19 14 9 13 37

TOTAL

153

41±

Percentage of Total 4.0 7.8 4.5 9.8 13.6 12.4 9.1 6.0 8.9 24.1 100.0;„;

ILITTHLY INCOIE - BY HOUSEHOLDS Income (in dollars)

0-50 51 - loo 101 - 150 151 - 200 201 - 250 251 - 300 301 - 350 351 - 400 401 - 450 451 - 500 501 - 550 551 - 600

Huauber of Households 0 33 54 10 11 9 10 h 3 5 0 2

Percentage of Total ...0., 30.0 5.6 6.1 5.0 5.6 2.2 1.7 2.8 1.1

601+ Not Known On Savinr,s

2

1.1

17 20

9.4 11.1

TOTAL

10'0

100.0

41.

NONTHLY INCOIE 17,VELS - BY TYPE OF HOUSEHOLD (PERCENTAGES) Nonthly Income , Y 0-50 51 - 100 101 - 150 151 - 200 201 - 250 251 - 300 301+ Living on Savings not known TOTAL

One-person Households 1.5 22.7 36.4 3.8 6.1 0.7 6.9 9.8 12.1

Two-person Households 0.0 24.0 4.0 12.0 4.0 32.0 4.0 12.0

100.0(,,

Family Households 4.6 4.6 18.1 63.6 9.1 100.0(h;

OCCUPATIOHS HALES Occupations Employed Unemployed Students and children Retired TOTAL

FEUAT7S Humber 13 41* 98

Percentage 13.2;.; 41.8 28.6

Humber 59 26 29

Percentage 29.6„; 13.1 14.6

85

42.7

16

16.4

199

100.0

98

100.0',;

*hany of the -unemployed- females were housewives.

42. (xvii) PREICli-)AL LEAH'S OF SUSTENANCE - BY HOUSEHOLDS (PERCENTAGE) 'leans of Sustenance Emplo-red: Self-employed Steadily-employed Seasonally-employed

One-person Households 18'.2,j 3.0 11.4

Tiro-person Households

Family Households

37.5 25.0

17.4 65.3

3.8.

12.5

4.3

Private Heans: Savings Rental Income Unemployment Insurance Private Pensions Iiorknien s Compensation

25.0 12.9

20.8

4.3 4.3

2.3 1.5

4.2

Public Assistance Old Age Security and Old Age Assistance Social Allauance D. V. A. Disability Pension Hot Recorded

54.6 37.9

.512,5 16.6

8.6 4.3

11.4 4.5

12.6

4.3

TOTAL

5.3 3.0

0.8 2.2 100.OH

8.3 8.3

4.2 100.0

100.0

43. xviii) ETHNIC ORIGIN Humber of Persons Country 70 China 60 British Isles Ukraine 58 20 Poland 17 Russia 10 Scandinavia 10 Czechoslovakia 8 GerDany/Austria 8 Native-Indian or Lbtis 12 Not recorded 24 Other* TOTAL

297

Percentage of Total 23.613 20.2 19.5 6.7 6.0 3.3 3.3 2.7 2.7 4.0 8.0 100.013

One-person Households (Percentage of) 9.0;-; 29.0 17.0 7.0 2.0 7.0 3.0 7.0 2.0 ) ) 17.0 100.013

*Ethnic groups included in -other.; in order of size of groups are: Hungarian, Italian, French, Portuguese, Rumanian, Greek, Swiss, Lithuanian.

HOUSEHOLDS IN FAVOUR OF/INTERESTED IN PUBLIC HOUSING Type of Household One-person Two-person Families with children TOTAL

Number of Households 29 4

3 36

Percenta7e Of all Households Of Total Interested 21.713 00.513 15.4 11.1 14-3 2.4 100.013

44.

ALL

CHOICES - BY TYPE OF HOUSEHOLD LPERCENTAGES)

Choices Public Housing Home for Aged Stay in Downtown area Other area of Edmonton Leave Edmonton Unconcerned/unsure hot stated TOTAL

One-person Households

Two-person Households 8.0

4.5 14.4

4.0 32.0

22.7

Total Households 15.Z 4.0 14.4

9.9

16.0

15.2

7.7

9.1

7.9

2.3

-

Family Households

4.5c/.;

30.3

12.0

18.2

23.4

28.0

27.3

) 50.0

loo.o;.;

loo.o

100.0„;

100.0

liAIN AREAS OF CONCERN TO HOUSEHOLDERS

Number of Concern Health Problem Type of Residential accommodation Higher Rents Others* TOTAL

Households 22

Percentage of Total

15.6

14

7.7

3 91

11.6

00

46.6

1.7

* Other areas of concern to persons who would be rehoused were: 7. Possible lack of privacy, excessive noise, and too many rules if rehoused in public housing.

2. Being forced into an old persons home against oneTs will.

3. Availability of Public Transport in the area of relocation.

4. Availability of shops and other amenities, nearby.

5. Availability of elevator if on floors above ground level.

6. Possibility of losing money invested in existing businesses.

45.

APPENDICES

A LETTER TO ALL HOUSEHOLDS - SCIIEUE IA SURVEY B QUESTIONNAIRE - SCHEJE IA SURVEY C QUESTIONNAIRE - DETAILED PHASE I SURVEY

46.

APPENDIX A - LETTER TO ALL HOUSEHOLDS - SCI- E IL SURVEY

The following letter was sent out by the office of the idayor-

Dear Sir: The Planning Department of the City of Edmonton is currently engaged in conducting surveys to bring up to date their knowledge of various areas in the city. The information collected from these surveys is vital to the content and accuracy of future planning for the central business district.

A representative of the City Planning Department will be calling upon you soon in connection with these surveys. He will be gathering information concerning land and building use, condition of structures, number of employees, number of families and other data that would assist us in preparing long range forecasts concerning the cityys growth and future requirements.

This is an important study and I ask for your co-operation in making it a success.

The information will be treated on a confidential basis and will be studied as a whole without particular reference to any one family or business.

Thank you for your help and co-operation.

Yours truly,

47.

APPENDIX - QUESTIONNAIRE - SCHEE IA SURVEY

CITY PLANNING DEPART1E1IT SOCIAL SURVEY - BO= STREET

COLPOSITION OF PARTLY UNIT A. REIN FAHTLY

Addre ss 'Humber of households :Household

Bloch

FAIRLY SEX AGE ETHNIC ,RELIGION iLENGTH OF iiELiDER ORIGIN 'TES IDENCE

Lot

Head Wife Child 1.

2.

Humber_

Classification 8F 1HE filL

1

APT

AS ;

HOTEL

1 1

t

"D J.

Number of Rooms ; in Living Quarters :Number of Bedrooms Facilities (Check these off with Respondent)

B. RELATED OR LODGING FAI-iTT,Y

SEX

AGE , ETTITIC 'RELIGION LENGTH OF

iiill'ER

HOUSEHOLD;

; UNIT IN:-I ATHROOli

K ITCHEN EQUIPIENT

SECOND WHOLE BASE-' ATTIC j RENT I noon FLOOR j HOUSE 1SHARED =PIECE UNIT I

IN UNIT

TWO- THREE PIECE IPIECE

SHARED FRIDGE SINK OVEN

Head Wife Child 1.

9.

0 ),..-

4.i r).!'

6.!

FORCED GRAV. SPACE STEAll OTHER }EATING AIR EQUIPliENT FUN. PURE. HEATER

Number of People In Household Unit

----,-

'

Amount of Sublet

ORIGIN

;i 1 ; ,

RESIDENCE

48.

C.

LODGERS OR EXTENDED FALTT,Y

SEX 1 2

AGE

OITNERSHIP CHARACTERISTICS OF HOUSEHOLD UNIT

ETHNIC TTINGTH AliT. ORIGIN RELIGION of for 1 -3cli RES. iLodp;in:7:

!OUTRIGHT .-L iORT GAGE

'

3 4

A1i0UNT

,

5

1

MASONS FOR ROVING TO PRESENT ADDRESS

CO1=1:ITS

OCCUPATION OF I-DIAD RENTAL CHARACTERISTICS OF HOUSEHOLD UNIT

, _OUIIT

URNISHED IA-FURNISHED

ALL UTTT,IT=S ART U T TT IT _LL,S1 INC UTTLITTES 1

Eli-PLOY-NJ1,NT STATUS

IIPLOYED RETIRED r,UNEITLOYED

Supplement to Nair. income (specify)

49.

IF UNTE13?LOYED, LEANS OF SUBSISTENCE

UOULD YOU LOVE INTO PUBLIC HOUSING 11 IT UERE AVAILABLE IN EDUONTON? Comment YES

PUBLIC ASSISTANCE

I

NO

Indifferent PENSION, OLD ACE SECURITY OLD AGE ASSISTANCE

SAVINGS ;ANNUAL FL. iTT PENSION, PRIVATE

HIVE, OR FANITY Irill=R

• Less than $1,000. '$1,000 'S2,000 2,001 - 3,000 0,001 .. - $4,000 er

OTHER 'DO YOU HAVE A CAR?

ME YOU ANY COLIENTS ABOUT THIS AREA OR YOUR LIVING ACCOILLODATION? YES 'NO

50.

APPENDIX C - QUESTIONNAIRE - DETATTED PHASE I SURVEY

URBAN RENEWAL DIVISION RESIDENTIAL STRUCTURE AND HOUSEHOLD INVENTORY

.00CUPANCY CHARACTERISTICS: MN: 'OUTRIGHT LORTGACEI

HOUSEHOLD FORI-1.

DESCRIPTION OF UNIT

-

i01:TTEILY

'Structure Code

RENT: AHOUNT $ PER liONTH INCLUDES:

an UT 7,IT T-Fts L !BART UTILITiES

NO UTILITIES

Unit RELOCATION CHOICES IF DISPLACED BY URBAN RENEWAL WOULD LINE TO: HIDE

SEX

,

I

AGE

]

t I 1

1OCCUPATION OF HEAD

jETHNIC :ORIGIN -j 1 -j 1 ,

ElTLOYIEN STATUS . i.

1 -.i

.

tSTEADY SEASONAL .

;IF HOT ELZIOYED LEANS OF SUBSISTENCE:

---11

-7

STAY CLOSE TO DOWNTOWN VLOVE TO PUDLIC HOUSING

IOVE TO HODE FOR AGED OTHER APED OF CITY OTHER COI LENT: SPECIFY

:1.11.-EAs OF CONCERN TO HOUSEHOLDER: TYPE OF RESIDENTIAL ACCO1LODATION HEALTH OR HEDICAL PROGRAN HIGHER RENTALS OTHER ( SPEC_LY) COHIJEITT

!LENGTH OF RESIDENCE IF T,F,SS THAN TWO YEARS, LAST ADDRESS: