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Since the COVID-19 pandemic, Canada's housing market has faced significant challenges. Low interest rates led to a surge in borrowing and a 50% increase in house prices between 2020 and 2022. As interest rates rose to combat inflation, variable-rate mortgage holders, about a third of Canadians, saw immediate payment increases. Banks extended mortgage amortization lengths, leading to some mortgages stretching 70-90 years.
High prices and interest rates have made homeownership unaffordable for many, with only 10% of Canadians able to afford a home currently. Homeownership rates are falling, exacerbated by a growing housing shortage. Increased immigration, around 1,000,000 people per year, strains the economy, healthcare system, and housing supply.
Canada builds approximately 200,000 new homes annually, far short of the required 5,800,000 in the next seven years. Soaring apartment rents and rising homelessness are consequences. There is a lack of political will to address the issue due to financial constraints and fear of alienating homeowners. Despite public concern, immigration levels remain high. The situation is expected to worsen, with potential consequences including preventable deaths and increased homelessness.