NPRs Own Less Than 1% of Canadian Homes, New Report Reveals

New StatsCan Report Shows Non-Permanent Residents Own Less Than 1% of Canadian Homes

Key Highlights

• Less than 1% of homeowners in Canada were non-permanent residents (NPRs) as of early 2022.
• Prince Edward Island had the highest NPR homeownership rate at just 0.39%.
• In major provinces like Ontario and B.C., only about 1.5% of NPRs owned homes.
• NPRs are often younger, with limited credit histories and income, making homeownership less accessible.
• The study challenges public perception that NPRs significantly impact Canada’s housing market.

Do Non-Permanent Residents Really Impact Canada’s Housing Market?

There’s been a lot of chatter lately around immigration and housing affordability in Canada, with some folks pointing fingers at newcomers. But a new report from Statistics Canada is here to set the record straight—and the findings might surprise you.

According to the latest data from the Canadian Housing Statistics Program (CHSP), non-permanent residents (NPRs) made up a *very small* portion of Canadian homeowners at the start of 2022. In fact, across most provinces, the percentage of NPR-owned homes was well under 0.5%.

Let’s take a closer look at what the numbers show and why they matter.

Who Are Non-Permanent Residents?

For the purposes of this report, NPRs include people in Canada on a valid temporary status. That includes:

• International students with study permits
• Foreign workers with temporary work permits
• Individuals who have claimed refugee status

So while NPRs do live, study, and work in Canada, their stay is not (yet) permanent. This temporary status often comes with financial and logistical complications—especially when it comes to buying a home.

A Province-by-Province Look at NPR Homeownership

The CHSP report covered all provinces except Newfoundland and Labrador, Quebec, and Saskatchewan (due to limited data). Here’s how NPR homeownership breaks down:

Even in provinces with the highest proportions—like PEI and Manitoba—the total number of homes owned by NPRs is incredibly small. For example, in Alberta, NPRs made up just 0.10% of homeowners.

In most cases, these homeowners were concentrated in the largest urban centres, such as Charlottetown or Calgary.

How Many NPRs Actually Own a Home?

While NPRs make up a small slice of homeowners, what about the flip side—how many NPRs *actually own* a home?

Spoiler alert: Very few.

In Ontario, only 1.64% of NPRs were homeowners in 2022. In British Columbia, that number was even lower at 1.41%. When you compare that to other groups, the gap is pretty clear:

• Recent permanent residents (within the last 5 years): 40.3% homeownership in Ontario
• Canadian-born residents: 47.8% homeownership in Ontario

So not only do NPRs make up a tiny fraction of homeowners overall, but *most NPRs themselves aren’t buying homes either*.

Why Aren’t NPRs Purchasing Homes?

There are a few good reasons why NPRs are less likely to jump into Canada’s housing market, and they all come down to practical realities.

1. Temporary Status Means Uncertainty

NPRs don’t have the same long-term stability as permanent residents or citizens. It’s tough to commit to a mortgage when you’re not sure you’ll be in the country five years from now.

2. Limited Work Rights and Income

Take international students, for example—they often face restrictions on how many hours they can work during the school year. Less work means less income, which makes saving for a down payment a challenge.

3. Lack of Canadian Credit History

Many NPRs are new to the country and haven’t had time to build up a strong credit history. That makes it harder to qualify for a mortgage from Canadian banks.

4. Younger Age Group

NPRs tend to be younger, which means they’ve had less time to accumulate savings and build financial stability—two pretty big factors when it comes to buying a home.

What Does This Mean for the Housing Debate?

There’s been a lot of concern that newcomers—particularly those on temporary permits—are driving housing demand and pushing prices up. But the data tells a different story.

NPRs account for *less than 1%* of homeowners in Canada, and only a tiny proportion of NPRs actually own homes themselves. That suggests their impact on housing availability and prices is minimal—at least when it comes to homeownership.

If you’re navigating Canadian immigration and thinking about long-term settlement, getting to permanent resident status can open up more housing options. For example, if you’re in Manitoba, you might want to explore the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP) as a pathway toward permanent residency and future homeownership.

Final Thoughts

At the end of the day, the new Statistics Canada report helps clear up a common misconception: non-permanent residents are *not* a major force in Canada’s homeownership landscape. They face real challenges, from income limits to credit barriers, that make buying a home tough—especially as temporary residents.

If you’re an NPR hoping to put down roots in Canada, the first step is often securing permanent residency. Once you’ve done that, not only do your housing options open up, but so do other long-term benefits.

Curious about your options to become a permanent resident? Check out our guide on how to transition from temporary to permanent status or explore provincial programs like the Manitoba PNP.

Let’s keep this conversation grounded in facts—and support all residents in building a future in Canada they can call home. 🍁

Looking for more insights like this?

Subscribe to our newsletter for updates on Canadian immigration, housing trends, and more!