Gary Moloney

Residents of Toronto Community Housing (TCH) may travel further to their place(s) of employment than other population groups in the Toronto census subdivision (CSD). TCH provides housing options to low-income residents within the Toronto CSD. Employment opportunities suitable and available to low-income populations are constrained by attributes such as educational attainment and vehicle ownership. The literature offers three theories – spatial mis-match, excess commuting and jobs-housing balance – that aim to identify the separation between housing and locations of (suitable) work. This study frames the theories in the Toronto context. Transportation survey data is combined with population Census data from 2011. Ordinary least-squares and geographically weighted regression models are developed to capture the average commuting distance for residents who live where there are high concentrations of TCH dwellings. Origin-destination flows of commuters are mapped. The model indicates that there are clusters of inner-suburban residents who travel further to work compared to other low-income residents of Toronto but many residents (up to 60%) work locally. Downtown residents have the lowest travel burden for employment.