Grade 9 Canadian Issues · Culminating Assignment
THE HOUSING CRISIS IN CANADA
Why homes and rent are becoming unaffordable
Across Canada, many people are struggling to afford a place to live.
Why homes and rent are becoming unaffordable
Across Canada, many people are struggling to afford a place to live.
Housing costs are rising faster than many people can afford.
Average rents have increased dramatically in major cities
Home prices have outpaced wage growth for over a decade
Not enough affordable housing units are being built
"Housing affects safety, family, opportunity, and the future."
Spend more of their income on housing
Struggle to move out and gain independence
Leave expensive cities for lower-cost areas
Worry about their future housing options
Can increase when housing is unaffordable
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Canada has not built enough homes to keep up with its growing population and demand.
Toronto and Vancouver are global cities. More people want to live there than homes are available.
The Bank of Canada raised interest rates to fight inflation, making mortgages more expensive.
Materials and labour costs have risen sharply, making new housing more expensive to build.
Real estate investors buy multiple properties, reducing supply for regular families and first-time buyers.
Canada has among the highest per-capita immigration rates, adding demand for housing faster than supply grows.
Government building permits and zoning approvals can take years, slowing new home construction.
Purpose-built affordable rental housing has not kept pace with growing demand from renters.
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Hover over each city to see a housing fact
How housing changed for Canadians
Moving out becomes harder and takes longer
First jobs may not cover rent in major cities
Saving money becomes extremely difficult
University choices can be influenced by housing costs
Independence and adulthood can be significantly delayed
"As a student, this matters because housing could affect my future choices — where I study, where I work, and whether I can build a life in the city I grow up in."
Based on the 30% affordability guideline
Test your knowledge about the housing crisis
1. What does "housing crisis" mean in Canada?
2. What percentage of income is the affordability guideline for housing?
3. Why does the housing crisis directly affect young people?
Housing is more than an economic issue — it is a social, health, and equity issue affecting all Canadians
It affects families, students, workers, and communities — from coast to coast to coast
It connects deeply to both Canadian identity and global issues like urbanization and migration
Canada needs multiple coordinated solutions working together — no single fix is enough
"A country should not only be a place people live in. It should be a place people can afford to build a future in."