Canada’s rental housing landscape is shifting, with single-family rental (SFR) households growing at a faster rate than multifamily rentals. According to new research from Pointe2Homes, SFR households increased by nearly 15 per cent nationwide, surpassing the 9.4 per cent growth seen in multifamily rentals.

Comparing data from Statistics Canada in 2016 and 2021, analysts for the study speculate that the rise in SFR occupancy was driven by affordability challenges, rising mortgage costs, and shifting lifestyle preferences. Many Canadians are opting for rental homes that offer more space and flexibility without the commitment of homeownership.

The study also notes solo renters are playing a significant role in this shift, with one-person households in single-family rentals increasing by 19.6 per cent, nearly double the growth rate of solo apartment renters.

“The historical trend in Canada has been that people want to form independent households,” said Dr. Nathanael Lauster, associate professor of sociology at the University of British Columbia. “But when housing is scarce and expensive, they adapt by living in ways they wouldn’t otherwise choose.”

Ontario and Québec are leading the charge, with eight Ontario cities and two Québec cities experiencing over 50 per cent growth in SFR households. Markham, Mirabel, and Richmond Hill have seen the largest increases, with Markham’s SFR households surging by nearly 70 per cent. Even major urban centres like Toronto, Ottawa, and Calgary recorded significant gains, each adding over 8,800 new single-family renter households.

The study highlights that newly constructed homes are increasingly being rented rather than purchased. For instance, 55.1 per cent of homes built in Montréal between 2016 and 2021 were rented by 2021, with Toronto and Vancouver following closely at over 42 per cent.

For the full results and methodology, visit: Canada’s Growth in Single-Family Renter Households Outpaces Multifamily