Research summary: Housing affordability in Canada
Official title: Unpacking housing affordability in Canada
Authors of the report: Sharif Mohammad and Melissa McClung
Alternate formats
Housing affordability in Canada [PDF - 276 KB]
Large print, braille, MP3 (audio), e-text and DAISY formats are available on demand by ordering online or calling 1 800 O-Canada (1-800-622-6232). If you use a teletypewriter (TTY), call 1-800-926-9105.
Why this study
Rising public debt and inflation after the pandemic created a serious housing crisis. This study looks at how COVID-19 and inflation affected housing affordability.
What we did
We showed how COVID-19 and its aftermath made it difficult for some people to afford homes. We looked at how the housing crisis impacted workers who might not earn enough to live on.
What we found
High housing costs and low home availability were already a problem before.
- Since 2021, housing costs have increased more than wages making home ownership impossible for many.
The pandemic changed what people want in housing, with greater emphasis on:
- family support
- remote work, and
- a better work-life balance
Things that increased housing costs were:
- fast population growth
- not enough goods and services, and
- not enough skilled workers
Those with lower incomes had the biggest challenges.
- This is because of job losses during the pandemic, higher debt levels, and more income going to housing.
There was a big difference in housing affordability in urban and rural areas.
The biggest need is in cities among groups like Indigenous people, racialized women, and single-parent families.
What it means
This research will help develop program policy in the following areas:
- ongoing learning and adaptability within companies will make sure that workers' skills match job needs and pay
- investing in training programs for apprentices and improving workforce diversity will help meet housing construction needs
- making it easier and cheaper for skilled workers to move between provinces to find better job opportunities
- encouraging employers to invest in skills and lifelong learning within the workplace
Contact us
For access to the full report, please contact us using the email address below.
Skills and Employment Branch, Labour Market Information Directorate, Policy Research Analysis and Geomatics Division
Email: esdc.nc.sspb.research-recherche.dgpss.cn.edsc@esdc-edsc.gc.ca