Canada continues to welcome newcomers who bring energy, talent, and new ideas to our growing communities. As population growth rises, many people are asking how this affects the housing market. A new analysis provides a clear and thoughtful look at the role of non-permanent residents in Canada’s housing patterns and what it means for the country moving forward.

This blog explores the key insights from the study and explains how non-permanent residents interact with the housing system. The results offer clarity during a time when discussions about rental markets, home prices and demand are more active than ever.

A Closer Look At Non Permanent Residents In Canada Housing Data

Canada’s population grew rapidly between 2022 and 2025. Much of this growth came from non-permanent residents. These include students, temporary workers, and individuals with valid temporary status. Yet despite their rising numbers, the research shows that they remain a very small share of Canada’s homeowners.

Here is a simple summary of homeownership among non-permanent residents at the start of 2022.

Province	Share of Homeowners Who Were NPRs
Alberta	0.10 percent
Ontario	0.13 percent
British Columbia	0.13 percent
Prince Edward Island	0.39 percent

These numbers show that most non-permanent residents rent their homes. This aligns with their temporary status, their shorter time in Canada, and the early stages of their financial journey.

Where Do NPR Homeowners Live In Canada

Non-permanent residents who do own property tend to live in major cities. This mirrors general settlement patterns, where newcomers choose areas with jobs, services, and community support.

For example:

City	Share of Non Permanent Resident Owners
Toronto	0.20 percent
Vancouver	0.18 percent
Winnipeg	0.36 percent
Halifax	0.27 percent

These percentages confirm that even in large cities, the presence of non-permanent residents in the ownership market remains very small.

Why Non-Permanent Residents Remain Primarily Renters

There are practical reasons that explain low ownership rates among newcomers with temporary status.

• Many arrive as students with limited income.
• Temporary status can make long-term investments feel uncertain.
• Mortgage approval can be difficult without a strong credit history
• Most are younger and still building savings for a down payment.

Renting is usually the simpler and more flexible option during their early years in Canada.

Buying Patterns Of NPRs In 2021

The study also looked at homebuyers during 2021. Again, non-permanent residents represented a small portion of buyers across the provinces reviewed.

Province	Share Of NPR Buyers In 2021
British Columbia	0.31 percent
Manitoba	1.58 percent
Nova Scotia	1.48 percent
New Brunswick	1.88 percent

These buyers were also mainly located in the largest cities of each province.

How Many NPRs Become Homeowners Over Time

Another important insight is the proportion of NPRs who owned a home at the start of 2022.

• 1.64 percent in Ontario
• 1.41 percent in British Columbia

These figures reinforce that property ownership is rare for non permanent residents. In comparison, almost half of Canadian born individuals and recent permanent residents were homeowners in the same period. This suggests that NPR growth affects the rental market far more than the ownership market.

What This Means For Canada’s Housing Future

Canada’s rental housing demand is closely tied to international arrivals. As more newcomers arrive with temporary status, rental markets feel the pressure first. This can also influence investors and developers, who may respond by increasing rental housing supply. The study helps clarify an important point. Even with a rapid increase in non permanent residents, their role in the homeownership market is still very small. They are not driving ownership price increases. Instead, they contribute more to rental demand. Understanding this difference is key to designing policies that support both affordability and long term community growth.

The Role Of Non Permanent Residents In Canada Housing Will Continue To Evolve

The analysis shows that the presence of non permanent residents in Canada housing is far more visible in the rental sector than in homeownership. They represent less than one percent of homeowners nationwide. As more NPRs transition to permanent residency in future years, ownership patterns may change. Many may eventually join the homebuyer market once they gain status, build credit and grow their financial stability.

Canada continues to value newcomers and the economic strength they bring. With proper planning, both rental and ownership markets can remain strong and supportive. Stay tuned with ImmigCanada for future research, policy changes and immigration updates that may shape housing trends in the years ahead.