Majority of young Canadians plan to buy homes within 5 years: poll

A new report says that while fewer young Canadians own a home compared with three years ago, a majority of millennials and gen-Z adults still plan to purchase one in the next five years.

Scotiabank’s 2024 housing poll says the number of Canadians between 18 and 34 who own a home has declined to 26% today from 47% in 2021.

Around 29% of people in that age group are now living with parents or family, up from around one-fifth of those surveyed three years ago.

But despite housing market challenges, the survey says 58% of non-homeowners aged 18 to 43 in Canada are still determined to purchase a home within the next five years.

It says there is a “confidence gap” among young Canadians when it comes to the homebuying process, with 63% of gen Z and 54% of millennials indicating they want clearer information and support from financial institutions.

More than half of Canadians in that cohort say the current economic environment is negatively impacting their finances to the point they must delay their home-buying plans.

The Canadian Press

The Canadian Press is a national news agency headquartered in Toronto and founded in 1917.