The home types driving Ottawa’s new build surge
“With townhomes and condominium townhomes making up well over half of sales, buyers are gravitating toward more attainable housing options. Governments need to ensure that the way we fund growth doesn’t add costs that put those homes further out of reach.”
Burggraaf’s warning about the cost of funding growth speaks directly to development charges, a persistent pressure point for Ontario builders.
In GTA municipalities, those charges can exceed $100,000 on a new single-family home, according to a C.D. Howe Institute analysis published in 2026.
https://www.gohba.ca/2026/09/21/gohba-pma-brethour-ottawa-new-home-sales-report-august2026/A joint federal-provincial commitment to reduce development charges by up to 50% is working through the pipeline alongside Ontario’s move to scrap the HST on new homes in a one-year push}, which offers eligible buyers a rebate of up to $130,000 on homes valued up to $1 million. That program runs until March 31, 2027.
West Ottawa leads the geographic split
The western portion of the city dominated August activity, capturing 40% of new home sales. The south followed at 36%, the east at 20%, and Central Ottawa at 5%.
