Homeownership is becoming a pipe dream for most Canadians, according to a new survey released by Habitat for Humanity Canada.

Four in five Canadians now say that buying a home feels like a luxury, while 88 per cent of renters say the goal of owning a home in Canada has become out of reach. 

The organization’s third annual affordable housing survey looked at the broader implications of Canada’s housing crisis. An overwhelming 82 per cent of Canadians voiced deep concern over how the housing crisis is impacting health and well-being, while 78 per cent see homeownership as a critical factor in the country’s growing wealth gap. The findings show a clear, collective anxiety across generations, with younger Canadians bearing the brunt of housing-related challenges.

“Canadians are sending a clear message: the housing crisis is no longer just about housing,” says Pedro Barata, CEO of Habitat for Humanity Canada.

The shrinking middle class 

Survey data reveals concern that the scarcity of affordable housing is fragmenting communities and threatening the middle class, with 82 per cent of respondents worried about a potential decline in this socioeconomic group. 

Over half of Canadians report worrying about sacrificing essentials like food, education and living expenses to cover their housing costs. Meanwhile, 41 per cent of respondents say the stress alone of not being able to buy a home is difficult for them to manage.

Younger generations forced to rethink milestones

Canada’s housing crisis is causing younger generations to rethink life plans. Two-thirds of Gen Z Canadians and almost half of Millennials have considered delaying starting a family because they can’t afford a suitable home, while four in ten say they have fewer job opportunities because they had to move to a more affordable area. 

A notable percentage (29 per cent of Millennials and 25 per cent of Gen Z) say they would consider moving abroad to find affordable housing. The survey also reveals that 73 per cent of Gen Z respondents are anxious about saving enough for a down payment.

Barata emphasizes that young Canadians rethinking or delaying major life decisions could lead to “a deep and lasting impact on future generations and society as a whole.”

Despite the mounting challenges, Canadians overwhelmingly support the idea of homeownership, with 87 per cent believing it offers stability, and 81 per cent seeing it as a way to build a better future for their children.

Calls for action

As Canada’s housing crisis grows, the survey reveals a clear demand for political action. Seventy-five percent of Canadians believe that housing policy should transcend political divides, urging a unified approach to the crisis. However, 68 per cent are skeptical that the federal government will reach its goal of building 3.87 million new homes by 2031. 

Canadians want policy initiatives that reduce taxes and fees for first-time buyers, promote affordable homeownership and convert unused spaces into housing.

“Homeownership can’t just be the privilege of the wealthy or lucky few,” says Barata. “At Habitat we see the transformational change that happens when families own their own home, affordably. The security and peace of mind benefit their health, economic opportunities and investments in their community. It benefits all of us.”