toronto housing

Seniors are making it harder for millennials to buy homes in Toronto

It's already exceedingly difficult for a young person to buy a house in Toronto, and it just keeps getting harder. 

According to a new report from the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), seniors are moving out of their homes less than they used to, which reduces the supply of homes available for other generations.

The report says the share of Toronto-area homes owned by senior households increased by 4.5 percentage points to 25 per cent between 2006 and 2016. 

It indicates that in 2006, 11.5 per cent of homes were owned by seniors compared to 17 per cent in 2016.

"Economic and demographic factors have caused seniors to decide, increasingly, to remain in their homes longer," CMHC says. 

Such factors include increases in seniors’ labour force participation, a wider income difference between renters and homeowners, the fact that stronger wealth growth provided senior households with access to a greater array of housing choices, and more.

Traditionally, seniors would often downsize, switch to renting or move to a senior's home in their retirement. 

"This trend of rising homeownership among seniors may well continue into the future," CMHC says. "If it does, it could put pressure on supply, since there may be fewer dwellings than expected available for younger households."

Lead photo by

blogTO


Latest Videos



Latest Videos


Join the conversation Load comments

Latest in Real Estate

Proposed Toronto condo tower seeking gargantuan 18-storey increase

$4 million home in exclusive Toronto area hits market for first time in 30 years

Ontario city slashes development charges on new homes amid criticism

An old 1800s Toronto apothecary turned house is up for sale at over $4 million

New legal drama worsens plight of Toronto's troubled megatower

Massive redevelopment plans unveiled for abandoned Toronto bus terminal

Brand new $3.8 million Toronto home looks like it's straight out of a design magazine

Proposed buildings would replace Toronto grocery store and huge parking lots