How do social housing locations impact transit use in family households in the cities of Vancouver and Burnaby?

This study aims to explain how low-income families in Vancouver and Burnaby accommodate their transportation costs and transportation option(s) with limited financial resources. To answer the above question, a total of four social housing sites in Vancouver and Burnaby were selected for further study. Two sites with poor bus access were selected and two sites with good bus access were selected. Within those 4 sites, 12 families were interviewed. This study explores how low-income families choose their transportation mode(s) given their limited incomes and social housing locations. The findings indicate that the built environment, work and non-work destinations, public transit accessibility and frequency; and, family structure influence a household’s travel behaviours. The findings in this study warrant further research with regards to parking at social housing sites and the transportation behaviours of all social housing residents.