Canadians most likely globally to give up on homeownership
Two-thirds of Canadians (66%) made at least one financial sacrifice last year to cover housing costs, citing homes too expensive (54%), income too low (50%), and insufficient down payment savings (41%) as the main barriers.
Some 81% of those surveyed agreed that rising costs make homeownership increasingly difficult to achieve, a finding consistent with Canadian Mortgage Professional‘s analysis of why Canada’s affordability problem persists.
| Canada housing data — Home at What Cost?, Habitat for Humanity International, 2026 | |
|---|---|
| Affordability barriers | |
| Finding | Canada |
| Agree rising costs make homeownership harder to achieve | 81% |
| Say there are too few affordable homes to buy | 73% |
| Non-homeowners: homes too expensive | 54% |
| Non-homeowners: income too low | 50% |
| Non-homeowners: insufficient down payment savings | 41% |
| Housing stability | |
| Feel secure in ability to remain where they live | 91% |
| Worry one unexpected problem could threaten housing stability | 44% |
| Identify affordability without constant stress as most important housing aspect | 48% |
| Source: Home at What Cost?, Habitat for Humanity International, 2026. Survey of 1,400 Canadians, conducted April 10–June 30, 2026. | |
Trade-offs that reach the essentials
The costs extend well beyond rent and mortgage payments. Over the past year, 36% of Canadians spent less on food, 25% drew from savings or emergency funds, and 40% cut social spending to meet housing obligations.
Nearly half (44%) said one unexpected setback, such as a job loss or unforeseen expense, could put their housing at risk.
Pedro Barata, president and CEO of Habitat for Humanity Canada in Toronto, said the findings signal a systemic failure.
