Are you concerned about housing affordability?

Whether you’re looking to become a first-time home buyer or own your own property now, we want to hear from you!

There are many factors affecting Canadians’ ability to afford their own homes. Tell us about your experience. Are you facing any roadblocks as you try to become a homeowner? What are they? If you bought a home not long ago but faced challenges along the way, please share what they were.

CHBA is calling on the next government to do more to help provide a stable environment in which Canadians have reasonable access to homes they can afford. Your stories help make the problem real. They demonstrate that housing affordability is an important issue that affects Canadians from coast to coast.

Make sure your voice is heard. Leave a comment below!

Interested in learning more?

Want more information on how the next government can help? Click here. Or, if you’d like to learn more about common myths associated with housing affordability in Canada, we bust them here.

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14 comments

  1. I added to the rental market by drawing the equity out of my principal house. My house went from 250g in 2001 to 700g in 2007. I borrowed tax deductible debt and bought 3 rental units. The increase in value of my house increased the supply of rental housing.

    1. Thanks for sharing, Barry. Canadians view homeownership as a key to financial security, improving equity and wealth over time. While you were fortunate that your investment has provided you with opportunities, future generations of Canadians should also have that same opportunity to buy a home to keep the housing continuum moving.

  2. With the real estate market the way it is right now and to sell a home at a profit and to down size, You end up paying more for a smaller home/condo/modular so a person might as well stay where they are!!~ Right?? There are SO many fee’s to pay,, realtor fees, administration fees. not counting the re-connection fees, and moving costs!! the lists goes on and on and they just keep adding up. …. but the government doesn’t care. I think the word “GREED” comes into play

  3. The rent in Ontario is outrageous. We currently have tent cities for the homeless in Peterborough and Belleville, it is probably safe to assume there are more that I have knowledge of. Housing is no longer affordable. How are we supposed to save for a home to buy when we cannot afford to temporarily rent a place to live? How are we supposed to add utilities, groceries, car payments, car insurance, and student loan debt on top of rent? This should not be the case in Canada. This is not the United States, we should be helping one another to live without fear of homelessness because when all is said and done, that is what makes any economy strong. We all have a right to be productive in the best interest of our country and in return, our country must guarantee that we able to afford the basic necessities.

  4. After more than a decade struggling to pay off my student loans – loans which enabled me to find a good middle class job, my debt load is so high that I cannot get a mortgage as my cc debt soared as I made those payments. This would be a manageable roadblock if I was able to save but I cannot save for a down payment due to soaring Ontario rent prices. More than half my pay goes to rent and I am not even in the GTA. Housing in my area has tripled in the 6 years I’ve lived here, having moved here to save money commuting to work and as it was cheaper rent. I am now being forced to find a new rental location again that will be potentially hours away from my job. I am nearing close to bankruptcy because of what it costs just to keep a rental property over my head. I’m now in my 40s, I take home less now than I did 10 years ago because of the rising costs to even go to work with no pay increases fir my job. I will never own a home at this point in my life, nor will I be able to afford a family.

  5. Canada is home to many immigrants,so when they land here,it doesn’t mean they will grab all the top positions,owing to credentials,exams,fees they end up doing what they weren’t doing back home.we have been here since last 5 years got 2 notices to vacate our rental place owing to owners either shifting themselves or re-renting on higher price,we are also on waiting list of nearly all co-ops but never been called,our first check ends up in our landlord bank,still the uncertainty always loom when we will b handed over next moving out notice,we loooked into buying a 2 bedroom apartment and found out even 40 years old building had a tag we can’t afford,plus the maintenance fees,strata fees! Govt shd look into the matter and provide low income families with kids to have an affordable plan to have a place they can call home! have our income decide our mortgage,please do #unlockthedoor

  6. Myself and 50% of Vancouverites are renters. We are terrified of our affordable rentals being torn down and new unaffordable rentals built. No everyone needs to be a homeowner but everyone needs shelter. No new builds are affordable!

    1. Thanks for sharing, Heather. We know that more rental supply is needed, including market rental housing options that are affordable for a variety of income levels. The need for more rental is also why we need address affordability across the housing continuum. Did you know that some 80% of rental units that become available each year come from people who become homeowners? We need to improve housing supply of all types, to provide Canadians with both affordability and choice.

  7. Hello as a 27 year old male affordable housing is a huge concern!!!!! Have been looking purchase a house for over a year. I went to school and payed off all my school debt. Was lucky to find a job in my feild and being a single guy living in midwestern ontario i cant afford it. Two years ago you could find a house listed for under 150 000. You would be lucky to find a house listed for under 250 000 which is crazy in a rural area. Its very frustrating!!!! The only way i can afford a house in the future is to live at home and save for a bigger down payment 40 000 plus. Im lucky in a way i have the opportunity to live at home and save money. Some people dont have that opportunity and with rent being so high, they will never have the chance of owning a home. SOMETHING HAS TO CHANGE

    1. We understand your concerns, Derek, and agree that housing affordability need to be a top priority for all parties in the upcoming election.

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