Work-residence Relations for Head Office Employees in an Inflating Housing Market

Abstract

This paper examines work-residence relations for downtown and suburban head office employees working in Greater Vancouver during a period of rapid house price inflation. Using data for the entire head office workforce of two utility corporations, the effects of severe house price inflation and the decentralization of one of the corporations are assessed as they have influenced changing residential patterns and the journey to work. Next, the results of a survey of 229 employees are discussed in terms of the journey to work, residential quality, and residential affordability. Suburban office workers enjoy a 25 per cent differential in their journey-to-work time. While there are no major variations for the entire sample between downtown and suburban workers in residential affordability, significant subgroup differences emerge. The theme of employee adjustment to changing conditions appears in the data.