Maple News reports that recent immigrants to Canada are facing significant challenges in securing affordable housing in an increasingly competitive rental market. According to a detailed study released by Statistics Canada, more than one-third (37.1%) of recent immigrant renters—defined as those who arrived between 2016 and 2021—are living in unaffordable housing. In contrast, only 23.2% of longer-term resident renters face the same issue.
The study defines unaffordable housing as shelter costs exceeding 30% of a household’s pre-tax income. It focused on rental households recorded in the 2021 Census and excluded immigrants who arrived after 2019.
One of the key insights from the study is that one in six recent immigrants (16.7%) lived in a recently rented dwelling as of 2021. These households are often more vulnerable to economic pressures, as they lack the established networks and financial stability many longer-term residents rely on.
The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation’s (CMHC) 2023 Rental Market Report supports these findings, noting that growing home ownership costs are pushing more people — including newcomers — into the rental market, thereby increasing overall demand. This demand has significantly impacted rental prices, especially in large urban centres. For example, the average monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment across Canada now stands at approximately $2,149, with cities like Vancouver and Toronto seeing rates soar to $2,976 and $2,614, respectively.
Post-pandemic economic shifts have intensified the housing crunch. New arrivals often rent first as they establish themselves, but quickly encounter high costs and limited availability. The 2021 Census data revealed that the number of recent immigrant renter households grew by 21.5% from 2011 to 2021—more than double the growth rate of immigrant owner households, which increased by 8.4% over the same period.
Alarmingly, nearly 80% of renters living below the poverty line were found to be spending more than 30% of their income on housing. Compounding the issue is the rise in evictions that force renters to move in an overheated market, where finding a new, affordable rental is increasingly difficult.
This data highlights the urgent need for targeted housing and social support policies to better accommodate the growing number of immigrants calling Canada home. Ensuring access to stable, affordable housing is not only key to successful settlement and integration but also essential for Canada’s long-term economic and social resilience.
Maple News will continue to track developments affecting the immigrant housing experience in Canada.