In Canada, housing is defined as affordable if a household’s shelter costs are equal to or below 30% of that household’s income before tax. The continuum of housing that is defined as affordable spans a range from government-sponsored emergency shelters, to supportive housing for the elderly, to non-market affordable rental housing, and low-end market housing ownership. Alternatives to normal market housing have traditionally been subsidized rental housing provided by governments, or non-profits, at rates designed to solely cover the operating costs of the properties. They were deemed social housing because of the emphasis on social subsidies. Affordable housing has now expanded to include the low-end of the market as well as below-market housing.