Canada's social housing demand outpaces supply as over 300,000 households await units, RBC says

Canada should tie social housing affordability to assets rather than mortgages, with long-term operating support to preserve affordable rents. More than 300,000 households need social housing, up 22% since 2018; average waits exceed four years. The federal government's $13 billion Build Canada Homes initiative targets at least 26,000 units over five years. About 45% of social housing built before 1980 is in fair or poor condition, underscoring substantial maintenance needs. A sector-governed national building fund could channel providers' surpluses toward repair backlogs, supported by operating subsidies covering full costs and reserves. Disclaimer: This news brief was created by Public Technologies (PUBT) using generative artificial intelligence. While PUBT strives to provide accurate and timely information, this AI-generated content is for informational purposes only and should not be interpreted as financial, investment, or legal advice. RBC — Royal Bank of Canada published the original content used to generate this news brief on October 15, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained therein. (C)