Housing Observer Online

Simcoe County boasts a new model for aging in place

Learn about Georgian Village, a seniors’ residence based on a new “campus” model.

Age-friendly communities benefit all residents

Get CMHC’s new guide to building age-friendly communities.

Canadian city takes novel approach to gaining insights

Learn about London’s experience and plan your own conversation café.

Mortgage fraud: indicators for mortgage professionals

Get tips on identifying mortgage fraud.

Lower oil prices affect St. John’s area

Read about the effects of declining oil prices on the St. John’s housing market.

Canadian consumer debt reaches new high

Learn more about credit trends from the second quarter of 2017.

Montréal baby boomers not yet returning to rental market

Housing Market Insight shows that baby boomers still prefer ownership to renting.

Canadian housing starts trend stable in February

Learn more.

Improve your building’s energy performance

Tips and resources for planners, builders and property owners on saving energy.

Accessible kitchens through universal design

Learn how universal design allows everyone to use and enjoy the kitchen.

CMHC releases new findings on prospective buyers

Get the results of the 2018 Prospective Home Buyers Survey.

Canadian housing starts trend stable in January

Learn more.

New CMHC study sheds light on rising house prices

Learn about the causes behind rapid price increases in five Canadian urban centres.

Non-permanent residents: increasing influence on housing

Learn about the effects of non-permanent residents on Canada’s urban housing markets.

Canada’s housing markets remain highly vulnerable overall

Find out which urban centres show high degrees of vulnerability.

Electrician training program fills 37-year gap

Learn more about Sachigo Lake First Nation’s apprenticeship program.

Ottawa development a victory for affordability

Read about a new 98-unit community for families in need.

Canadian housing starts trend stable in December

Learn more.

CMHC and Statistics Canada examine non-resident ownership

To improve housing-related data in Canada, CMHC and Statistics Canada partner to address data gaps.

The B.C. Energy Step Code: how it works

Learn about an exciting development in energy-efficient construction in B.C.

Private versus public sales: A Thunder Bay case study

Private sales accounted for one half of all sales in the Thunder Bay CMA.

13.5% of urban households in core housing need in 2015

Get insights from Statistics Canada’s 2015 Canadian Income Survey.

Plan for success in sustainable northern housing

Commissioning is key for best process and results.

Canadian housing starts trend sees large gain in November

Learn more.

Share of mortgage holders with a high credit score increases

Read the latest Mortgage and Consumer Credit Trends report.

Insights into the economic viability of developing rental housing

Learn more about the economics of purpose-built rental housing.

Most seniors with reduced mobility lack accessible home entrance

Learn more about the accessibility of Canadian seniors’ homes.

Municipal policy supports accessible living for all

Broad consultation leads to win-win solution for seniors and others.

Vacancy rates decline across Canada

Read CMHC’s latest Rental Market Report for Canada.

Tiny homes meet big need for First Nation singles and couples

Read about a remarkable tiny-home housing project.

Government of Canada announces first ever National Housing Strategy

Learn more about Canada's 10-year, $40-billion housing plan.

Choosing social finance options for affordable housing

Explore a range of options presented in 15 international case studies.

Housing need stable, different trends across provinces and territories

Core housing need stable since 2006, significant shifts among provinces and territories.

CMHC partners to improve housing data in Canada

Read about CMHC’s latest partnerships and efforts to expand data offerings.

Ensuring healthy, energy efficient ventilation a special challenge in northern housing

Study reveals challenges to ensuring proper ventilation in northern homes.

Canadian housing starts trend steady in October

Learn more.

Becoming a sustainable community

See why some communities are choosing to become more sustainable.

Retrofits bring energy savings for six multi-unit residential buildings

Read the results of a case study conducted by CMHC.

Alberta housing markets stabilizing as recession dissipates

An update on economic and housing market conditions in Alberta’s five mid-sized centres.

Housing market: High vulnerability, but stability expected over next two years

Get a snapshot of the Canadian housing market and an outlook to 2019.

Energy efficiency upgrades mean savings for high-rise buildings

Read about three CMHC case studies.

Simple electrical system tune-ups for multi-unit residential buildings

A new bulb or dust rag could help your electrical systems run more efficiently.

Passive design lowers costs

Read about the benefits of passive design for the affordable housing sector.

Secondary suites in Ottawa: overview of municipal regulations

Get the latest on City of Ottawa regulations governing this dwelling type.

International housing policies: lessons for Canada

What can Canada learn from other countries’ responses to housing challenges?

Reduce construction time and labour costs by 40 to 48%

Learn how structural insulated panels can make quality housing more affordable.

Updates to Housing Market Indicators

Get the latest national, provincial and local data.

Canadian housing starts trend decreased in September

Learn more.

Inclusionary zoning: a way to increase affordable housing in Canada

A new report compares the inclusionary housing practices of four countries.

Thinking inside the box

Learn how one First Nation community is using shipping containers to meet its housing needs.

Decrease in core housing need for recent immigrant households

Read the latest insights on recent immigrant households in Canada.

Housing Internship Initiative success story

Read about the experience of a housing intern from Sioux Lookout.

More buyers from China in Montréal over the last year

Update in a new report on the number of foreign buyers in Montréal.

The benefits of post-occupancy evaluations

Read more about CMHC’s guide to conducting post-occupancy evaluations.

Mortgage holders have higher credit scores than other consumers

Read more about mortgage and credit trends in Canada.

Participate in the student challenge!

We are looking for unique ideas that will revolutionize affordable rental housing in Canada.

The benefits of housing collaboration

Sharing a project brings wider benefits to a First Nation community.

Canadian housing starts trend increased in August

Learn more.

Increase the efficiency of heating and ventilation systems in multi-unit buildings

Learn about a variety of cost-effective improvements that save energy and money.

Income does not generally drive household mobility

Learn more about trends in household mobility and housing choices of movers.

Parametric simulations allow for more effective energy modelling

Read about three case studies on the use of parametric simulations in building projects.

Core housing need high for female-led Aboriginal households

Read more about off-reserve female-led Aboriginal households in Canada.

Study of super-insulated housing provides insight on energy efficiency

Read about a study of the performance of super-insulated housing in Yukon.

Habitat for Humanity: building not only homes, but also futures and opportunities

See how families are benefiting from Habitat for Humanity Canada’s homeownership model.

Winterization retrofits save energy and money

Learn how four Ottawa communities reduced natural gas consumption by 16%.

Affordable housing offers ideal case study for plumbing retrofit

Save on utility costs by following Ottawa Community Housing’s example.

Canadian housing starts trend increased in July

Learn more.

New mortgages continue to rise in Canada

CMHC provides insights on mortgage market stability from credit reporting agency data.

Canadian homeownership rate stable from 2006 to 2015

New data on household counts by tenure.

Discover how the City of Kingston developed its age-friendly strategy

There’s a big difference between a seniors’ strategy and an age-friendly strategy.

Up to 25% of heating energy escapes from multi-residential buildings

Controlling air leakage can save energy and make residents more comfortable.

Establishing a board of directors

Learn more about the structure, duties and responsibilities of a board of directors.

Strong evidence of overall problematic conditions continue for Canada

Findings from the Housing Market Assessment, Q3 2017.

Increasing the efficiency of your hot water system

Low-cost and no-cost tune-ups can mean real savings in multi-residential buildings.

Homeowners’ household income is roughly double that of renters in Canada

See the changes in household income from 2006 to 2015.

Ottawa’s condominium market and the relationship with purpose built rentals

Learn more.

Rebuilding effort well underway in Fort McMurray with one-third of lost units rebuilt

An update on rebuilding efforts and the state of Fort McMurray’s resale, rental and new home markets.

Research shows most Ontario municipalities have regulations permitting secondary suites

Read the key findings and advice from municipalities.

Mortgage holders fare well in managing credit

Learn more about recent Canadian mortgage and consumer credit trends.

Keep your senior clients safe and happy

What to consider when working with older clients.

Canadian housing starts trend increased in June

Learn more.

Edmonton initiative offers a blueprint for houses that work for every stage of life

Learn why accessible homes are for everyone.

Ownership structure data on the rental housing market varies across Canada’s big cities

Read the new information on the ownership structure of the purpose-built rental apartment sector.

Highest condominium fees paid by those in high-rise buildings

Learn more about the fees paid by households living in condominiums.

Market conditions contributing to the expanding condominium market in Winnipeg

Learn the economic and demographic trends driving demand, and what this means for market conditions.

Reducing costs using solar energy retrofits

Find out how to use solar energy systems to reduce energy costs for multi-unit buildings.

Moveable modular affordable housing units built in 2 months

Watch time-lapsed video showing the construction of 40 units in Vancouver.

Lender loyalty among renewers stands at 79% in 2017

Get the latest insights on mortgage behaviours, attitudes, and expectations.

Housing demand is forecast to improve in Yellowknife and Whitehorse in 2017

Get the latest update on housing market and economic conditions in the North.

Foreign buyers in Montréal: limited in number, but still increasing

Get the latest information on the state of the foreign buyers’ market.

Living small in the city

Learn more about tiny homes’ urban counterpart, micro apartments.

The renovation market continues to dominate residential activity

Find out why the renovation market is expected to grow over the foreseeable future in Halifax.

Market conditions have evolved in favour of buyers in the last few years

Get the latest information on the state of the resale market.

Canada’s mortgage market remains stable

CMHC provides insights on mortgage market stability from credit reporting agency data.

Homeowners’ debt at a glance

Canadian housing starts trend upwards in May

Learn more.

Vacancy rate in seniors’ residences drops in key regions

View CMHC’s enhanced Seniors’ Housing Reports.

Make your home more accessible

Discover a whole range of low- and no-cost modifications to make your home more accessible.

Providing affordable housing inside a revamped church

See how a community-based initiative created a sustainable, long-term solution.

Resale market: tightening conditions and higher price growth

Get the latest information on the state of the resale market.

Peterborough residents with mortgages were not financially stressed between 2012 and 2016

A look into mortgage and non-mortgage debts held by Peterborough residents.

Cohousing as an affordable housing solution

See how a group of people found an affordable solution to achieve their vision.

Vancouver house prices spillover to surrounding centres

Learn more.

Mould can be a problem in homes anywhere

Learn more about mould prevention for homes in and outside of First Nations Communities.

Canadian housing starts trend upwards in April

Learn more.

Barrier-free buildings with universal appeal

Accessible design in residential buildings doesn’t have to look institutional.

Housing conditions of Métis households improving

Get the latest information on the housing conditions of Métis households.

Canada: Strong evidence of overall problematic conditions

CMHC is reporting strong overall evidence of problematic housing market conditions nationally due to moderate evidence of overvaluation and price acceleration.

Montréal rental condominium market booming as proportions reach new record

The profitability of rental condominiums in downtown Montréal.

$2.5 billion announced for new rentals

The Rental Construction Financing initiative will provide lower-cost construction loans for the next 4 years.

Canadian housing starts trend upwards in March

Learn more.

CMAs Peterborough and Toronto remain highest in core housing need

See the other CMA rankings for core housing need.

The future of multiples in key urban markets of Atlantic

This Housing Market Insight explores recent trends in urban population growth to forecast the potential demand for multiples completions over the next 20 years.

Converting an old factory into new affordable housing

See how a local charity created an inclusive community.

One in ten households living in small urban centres are in core housing need

Learn how it differs in regions across the country.

Collaboration brings notable drop in historical unpaid rents

Neighbouring First Nations create a Housing Alliance with dramatic results.

Sustainable plumbing room by room

What builders and plumbers need to know.

Millennial households to triple by 2036

Many changes ahead for millennial households.

Canadian housing starts trend upwards in February

Learn more.

Homeownership rate stable from 2006 to 2014

New data on household counts by tenure.

New edition of Homebuying Step by Step

Share the updated guide and workbook with your clients.

Vancouver's moveable modular housing

First Affordable Rental Innovation Fund project opens in Vancouver.

Canadian homeowners versus renters: Is there a difference in average household income?

Learn more of provincial, city and tenure income differences.

Take your affordable housing project from vision to reality

See how contributions and interest-free loans are available to help you.

Canadian housing starts trend increased in January

Learn more.

Canadian house price growth remains elevated

Homebuyers urged to make prudent choices as price acceleration detected in Vancouver, Victoria, Toronto, and Hamilton.

GTA house prices spill over to surrounding centres

Buyers priced out of Toronto are raising prices in nearby regions.

Canadian housing starts trend declined in December

Learn more.

2016 Q3 housing finance data update

Access the latest data, which reflects steady mortgage performance and a stable funding environment.

The majority of individual home accessibility features cost less than $100

Learn more about the cost of including accessibility features in new homes.

12.7% of urban households were in core housing need in 2014

Access insights on core housing need data in Canada.

Laneway homes

A pathway to affordable housing.

Home automation

Convenience, cost savings, safety and security. Learn more.

Canadian housing starts trend held steady in November

Learn more.

How newcomers buy their first home

New research explores their motivations, decisions and available resources during the homebuying process.

Focus on housing options for seniors

New research on needs, choices, and shared equity housing models for seniors housing.

Seniors housing by the numbers

Access a series of tables focused on seniors.

Foreign ownership in Canada’s housing market remains low

Two new reports analyze foreign ownership: one at a national level, the other with a Montreal focus.

Canada’s purpose-built rental vacancy rate increases in 2016

Findings from the 2016 Rental Market Survey.

Find out What We Heard from Canadians

Download the full report at letstalkhousing.ca

BC Seniors' Survey: 11% plan to modify their homes

A recent survey reveals BC seniors’ preferences for types of housing and related supports.

Housing Market Indicators Tables updated

Access data from 1990 – 2015 on construction, supply, housing costs, demand influences and housing in GDP.

Canadian housing starts trend held steady in October

Learn more.

Why has Canadian household debt been increasing?

Increases in household debts and debt burdens are due more to changed borrowing behavior than to population aging.

Most Canadian housing markets are overvalued

Insight from two major CMHC reports includes evidence that price growth will slow through 2018.

International migration is the key to Charlottetown’s housing market

Housing demand has grown quickly as more international migrants are moving to and staying in Prince Edward Island.

Canadian housing starts trend increases in September

Learn more.

The impacts of the Foreign Buyer Tax on the Vancouver housing market

Data suggests a consolidation of trends in the market, which pre-dated the introduction of the tax.

A look at Mortgage Investment Corporations

Mortgage Investment Corporations are increasing in number, but still represent less than 1% of the market.

Revolutionizing affordable housing

CMHC has a new $200M fund to help turn your innovative ideas into reality. Here's everything you need to know.

Ontario renovation spending poised for additional growth

This report examines the correlation between resale activity and renovation spending in the province.

Why seniors leave their homes

Most Canadian seniors want to age in place, but face challenges in doing so.

The impacts of the recent oil price shock on Prairie housing markets

Differences between each province’s economy help explain varied responses to the recent oil price shock.

Canadian housing starts trend decreases in August

Learn more.

How would you change housing in Canada?

We’re looking for your bold and innovative ideas.

Atlantic Canada is at a demographic turning point

The latest Housing Market Insight examines the implications of an aging population.

Why visitable housing matters

The majority of elderly Canadians want to age in place. Visitable housing represents a possible option.

Gatineau market favouring buyers, but prices still increasing

Generally as housing markets ease price growth tends to slow down. In the last few years, Gatineau hasn’t followed this trend. The latest Housing Market Insight examines why.

The evolution of the condominium market in Saskatoon and Regina

The latest Housing Market Insight focuses on the emergence of condos in these two cities.

Linking affordable housing and health

Learn more about the ongoing GTA West Housing and Health Study — a first in Canada.

Canadian housing starts trend increases in July

Learn more.

Migration is driving housing demand in Kelowna

The latest Housing Market Insight digs into the link between migration and new housing construction in Canada’s fastest growing city.

The pros, cons and future of tiny houses

Learn more about the pros, cons and future of tiny house living.

Canadian housing market shows evidence of problematic conditions

Housing Market Assessment, Q3 2016 release

Rebuilding Fort McMurray: Anticipated housing market response post fire

Housing Market Insight, Fort McMurray

An aging population means major changes in Trois-Rivières

Housing Market Insight, Trois-Rivières CMA

Risks mitigated in Toronto’s condo market

Housing Market Insight, Toronto CMA

Edmonton’s housing starts linked to household formation

Housing Market Insight, Edmonton CMA

Foreign investment in Montréal real estate market is relatively low

Housing Market Insight, Montréal CMA

Canadian housing starts trend increases in June

Learn more.

Declining oil prices impact on St. John’s housing market

Housing Market Insight, St. John’s CMA

New insights on the rural rental market in Canada

Learn more about the latest supply and demand trends in Canada's rural rental markets.

Calgary’s housing demand is set to slow down following population trends

Housing Market Insight, Calgary CMA

CMHC survey provides insight into Canadian mortgage consumers

Learn more about CMHC's survey that provides insights into mortgage consumer behaviours.

Vacancy rate in seniors’ residences falls to 7.4 per cent

Learn more about the demand for senior residences.

Discover the Secondary Rental Market

Learn about the size and composition of the secondary rental market and its importance.

Household formation shaping Quebec's housing market

Housing Market Insight, Province of Quebec

Canadian housing starts trend declines in May

Learn more.

What makes purpose-built rental housing different?

Find out more about the primary rental market in Canada.

Comparing international housing indicators

Learn more about international housing indicators and see how they measure up to Canadian standards.

First Nation Housing Managers work together

Learn more about sharing best practices

CMHC expects housing starts to slow in 2016 and 2017, reflecting significant regional differences

Housing Market Outlook, Q2 2016

Canadian housing starts trend stable in April

Learn more

Compilation of 2015 Observer articles and statistics now available

Learn more

HMA updated results: Overvaluation and overbuilding remain prevalent in Canada’s housing markets

CMHC releases 2016 Q2 Housing Market Assessment report

More seniors choose to “age in place”

Learn more about seniors’ housing

Don’t get rid of those condo parking garages just yet

Find out why

Housing construction and homeownership tables updated with 2015 data

Download these Excel files

Compared to all Canadian households, off-reserve Status Indian households are more likely to be in core housing need

Learn more about the housing conditions of off-reserve Status Indian households

Canadian housing starts trend declined in March

Learn more

Foreign ownership in condos linked to the year of building completion

Learn more about foreign ownership

One-person households will be the most common types of households by 2036

Learn more about CMHC’s long-term household growth projections

Condo investors are in it for the long haul

2016 Condominium Owners Survey report

Increase in debt for younger households due to larger mortgage loans

Learn more on Household Indebtedness

Nova Scotia has the highest percentage of households in Core Housing Need living in small urban centres

Close to one-fifth of the purpose-built rental stock in the Vancouver CMA changed tenants between 2014 and 2015

Housing Market Insight, Vancouver CMA

Neighbourhood dynamics shaping Halifax’s housing cycle

Housing Market Insight, Halifax CMA

International housing indicators

Learn more about housing indicators in other countries and see how they compare to Canadian measures.

What is core housing need?

Learn more about this key housing indicator.

Housing finance tables updated with fourth quarter 2015 data

Download the data here.

CMHC releases On-reserve housing conditions highlight and data

Learn more

Owners are an increasing portion of senior-led households in core housing need

Learn more about housing conditions of senior-led households.

Peterborough, Toronto and Brantford are the CMAs with the highest percentage of households in Core Housing Need

Learn more.

Canadian housing starts trend held steady in February

Learn more.

12.7% of recent immigrants face severe housing need

Learn more about housing conditions of the households in core housing need that spent 50% or more of their income on shelter.

Growth in Quebec's rental market supply accelerated in 2015

Is demand expected to slow in the future? Find out more in the HMI Quebec report.

Housing in Canada Online (HiCO) quick start video

Get started customizing housing data for your own research.

Canadian housing starts trend lower in January

Learn more.

Subsidized housing helps households out of core housing need or reduces its severity

Learn more about the housing conditions of subsidized households.

Addressing mould

Learn how one First Nation tackled mould issues in the community.

About one-third of Inuit households are in core housing need

Learn more about the housing conditions of Inuit households.

Major expansion to Housing Market Information Portal

Visit the Portal to get expanded core housing need estimates and much more.

Mid-rise residential wood construction

Changes to the Code: Learn more

Help newcomers find a place they can call home

See our tools and resources to rent or buy — available in 8 languages

Housing Market Assessment (HMA) updated results

First quarter edition: Overvaluation and overbuilding are the most commonly detected problematic conditions

Include affordable housing in land redevelopment

Read an example in Montréal.

Canada’s purpose-built rental vacancy rate increases

Get the final 2015 data now.

Housing finance tables updated with third quarter 2015 data

The Canadian Private Housing Stock: How is it changing?

Examine the Private Housing Stock, 2006 – 2011 based on Census NHS data

New core housing need data released

See the new CIS-based estimates.

Foreign ownership of condominium apartments in Canada

From CMHC's new series — Housing Market Insight

Emerging technology in residential construction 3D Printing

Industrialized Housing

Manufactured or modular — What’s the difference? Learn more

Detailed Examination of Municipal Accessory Apartment Regulations — Article 2

Of Canada’s 650 municipalities, 498 permit accessory apartments. What are the implications for the housing industry?

Oil price declines and their effect on Edmonton’s housing markets

Use CMHC’s Interactive Local Data Tables to complete your research and housing development strategy

Chose from over 160 municipalities.

“Urban growth is not so much moving outward as it is upward”

From Statistics Canada’s: Evolution of housing in Canada, 1957 to 2014.

Learn more about:

• the change in the type of dwelling permits over time
• construction intentions, and
• which cities have the highest apartment construction intentions.

Taryn Read-Hobman, Investment, Science and Technology Division, Statistics Canada

Gain valuable insight on the first-time homebuying market

Record covered bond issuance of $27.6 billion in 2014

CMHC housing data — Find what you need

Learn more about our data and how it can help you.

Canada’s purpose-built rental vacancy rate increases — See the preliminary data

Lower regional net migration and an increase in the supply of rental apartments resulted in a rise in the national vacancy rate.

HPAA report now called the Housing Market Assessment (HMA) report

October edition: Overvaluation most commonly detected problematic condition

Housing markets are expected to moderate in 2016 and 2017

Save on property management costs — recruit your tenants as volunteers!

An alternative water ready home — what's the plan?

Adaptable Housing — we have to learn to be flexible… and so does our housing.

HPAA — August edition: Overall assessment of risk low nationally

Framework detects high overall risk for Regina, Winnipeg, Toronto.

What is a condo?
 a)  An apartment
 b)  A single family home
 c)  A townhome
 d)  All of the above.

Read more about condominiums...

Mortgage arrears nudged downward again in 2014

Average house prices: Annual update

Interact with data from 2002 to 2014.

Did you know…
the longer an immigrant has lived in Canada, the more likely they are to own their home.

Learn more about Newcomers in the 2014 Canadian Housing Observer.

House Price Analysis and Assessment (HPAA) April update

Modest overvaluation based on national indicators reflects a variety of price conditions across the country.

78% of surveyed mortgage consumers went online to gather mortgage information.

The HMI Portal provides reliable and impartial housing market reports, data and analysis

“… Condominium Owners Survey investors are in the market for the long term.”

— Robyn Adamache, CMHC Principal Market Analyst for Vancouver