Community: Sense of Belonging

Prince Edward County, Ontario, Canada.

Above: “You Belong Here” mural at theROC Youth Services

Updated October 25, 2023

Page Contents:

Sense of belonging |
Residential stability rate |
Changing sense of place

Sense of belonging

Social connectedness is a sense of belonging to a family, group, or community. It’s about the relationships people have with each other and their engagement with the broader community. The support from social connections contributes to feelings of meaning and purpose in life. Social isolation can cause physical and mental health problems including depression, anxiety, as well as cognitive decline in older people. (Community Foundations of Canada, 2016 National Vital Signs Report: Belonging: Exploring Connection to Community)

Join the conversation about Creating a Welcoming Community.

Hastings Prince Edward (HPE)

Sense of Belonging measures the percentage of people who say that they have a somewhat strong or very strong sense of belonging to their community.

(Statistics Canada, Health characteristics, Hastings and Prince Edward Counties Health Unit)

Seniors

HPE seniors have a strong sense of belonging at 82 percent, compared to their Ontario peers at 77 percent. This is perhaps influenced by the large seniors population, local attractive lifestyle opportunities and support services for mature residents. Prince Edward Community Care for Seniors reaches out to keep in touch with seniors and maintain a sense of connectedness and belonging.

Also see: The County of Prince Edward, Seniors, Age in Place

Youth

The sense of belonging for HPE youth ages 12-17 has increased steadily and is now higher than their Ontario peers (HPE 88.8%/ON 85.7%), despite the barriers of physical and social isolation in this largely rural area. Recreation Outreach Centre (ROC) engages youth by providing opportunities, mentorship and programs in a safe environment that encourages youth success and contributes to a healthier community.

During Covid-19 lockdowns “The County Care Kits and food packages were delivered by youth from the ROC (Recreation Outreach Centre). They were really good to receive but the best part of it was their visit lifted my grandson’s spirits and made him understand that others really cared about him.”

Residential stability

Prince Edward County 2016 Census Profile
Prince Edward County 2021 Census Profile

Residential stability is an indicator of stability, investment, and connectivity to a neighbourhood. (Urban Institute. Family Residential Instability) It measures the percentage of the population that has remained at the same address for five or more years.

The rate of residential stability in PEC has decreased 9 percent between 2016 and 2021 (from 72% non-movers within 5 years down to 63%).

In-migration has increased by 77.3 percent, with 6,240 people migrating into PEC (2016 to 2021) compared to 3,520 in the previous 5 years. Between 2016 and 2021, the overall population increased by 969, indicating a loss of over 5,200 residents in that timeframe.

Residential Instability map

PEC Residential Instability: 3/5 = moderatately deprived
Residential instability, speaks to the tendency of neighbourhood inhabitants to fluctuate over time, taking into consideration both housing and familial characteristics. For example, the indicators in this dimension measure concepts such as the proportion of the population who have moved in the past five years, the proportion of persons living alone, and the proportion of occupied units that are rented rather than owned.

map of residential instability — (Ontario Public Health, *Social Determinants of Health Map)*

Ontario Marginalization Index 2016 map showing areas of residential instability.
Key: Darkest purple = 5/5, Medium purple = 3/5, Light blue = 2/5, White = 1/5

Changing sense of place

PEC is undergoing a changing sense of place. The majority of the population has historically been long-time residents, with many being descendants of the first European settlers to this island community. Permanent residents and businesses have been invested in the place-based economic ecosystem that relied heavily on agribusiness and seasonal tourism.

Shifting demographics in recent years are causing disruptions to the culture, housing market, available workforce and makeup of businesses. PEC’s proximity to large urban centres and the area’s natural beauty have attracted retirees, second-home buyers, and investors.

PEC is attractive to retirees − a third of the population is now aged 65+. While this age group continues to increase, the workforce and youth aged populations are decreasing.
Between 2016-17, up to half of the home sales in PEC were attributed to new short-term accommodations (STAs). Some neighbourhoods have become “dark”, with a constant turnover of tourists and few permanent residents. Businesses cater more to the tourism market than to the needs of local residents.
Since the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020/21, PEC’s housing market has felt the impact of increased homeowner demand with people from areas surrounding Toronto purchasing local properties where they can work remotely and live more affordably.
The uptake of remote work has enabled more white-collar workers to move to PEC. Since they are already employed they don’t contribute to the local labour shortage.
Pressure from developers and investors is resulting in “gentrification” of neighbourhoods and displacement of current residents.
There is growing divisiveness between generational residents who are struggling with the cost of living, and newcomers to PEC. The financial divide is widening.

This “perfect storm” has resulted in a housing crisis due to the escalation of housing prices and depletion of housing inventory. Many young families, low-income earners and seniors can no longer afford to live here. Businesses are short-staffed and lack of affordable housing is a barrier to attracting employees and doctors. The over-tourism, housing crisis, and sense of loss of place are causing growing discord between long-time residents, visitors, and newcomers. New housing developments currently in the planning stages will further change the demographic mix.

Aaron Miechkota, reverend of the Cressy Glenora United Church and a new resident in 2021, reflects on her experiences integrating into the community and thoughts on building bridges to an inclusive community.