Abstract
In this paper we use the Aging and Social Support Survey (GSS16) and the theoretical conception of a ‘housing career’ to identify the correlates of housing tenure (rent vs. own) among Canadians age 45 and over. We draw on primarily US literature to isolate three general explanatory clusters (social support, health, and economic characteristics). Based on analyses using logistic regression, the results indicate that the majority of variation in housing tenure exists due to standard demographic and household characteristics. In fact, of the three focal explanatory clusters, only social support characteristics significantly enhance model fit beyond the baseline model, suggesting that the housing tenure of older Canadians hinges heavily on fairly standard characteristics.
Highlights
Over the 20 years, the baby boomers, Canada’s largest-ever age cohort (Beaujot, 2004), will begin to retire
Given the high priority placed on privacy and individual autonomy in both Canada and the United States, economic characteristics and labour force participation should both weigh heavily on housing tenure, so that ongoing economic independence will be negatively associated with tenancy
Our analysis has considered hypotheses for three relationships: (1) that a strong social support network will be negatively associated with tenancy; (2) that healthy and physically fit individuals will be more likely to own their homes; and (3) that elevated wealth and/or economic status should prevent tenancy
Summary
Over the 20 years, the baby boomers, Canada’s largest-ever age cohort (Beaujot, 2004), will begin to retire. Most studies look at earlier phases of the housing career (Balakrishnan and Wu, 1992; Haan, 2005b; forthcoming; Ray and Moore, 1991; Skaburskis, 1997) To address this deficiency, we use logistic regression techniques and the 2002 Aging and Social Support Survey (GSS16) to isolate the determinants of housing tenure among Canadians age 45 and over.. A fuller theoretical context for understanding housing tenure across the life course is provided by introducing the concepts of housing career and median housing consumer, followed by a review of relevant literature and research findings From this literature, three primary areas (social support, health, and economic characteristics) emerge as primary candidates for shaping housing tenure in the later years
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