The emotional side of the Canadian housing crisis

The emotional side of the Canadian housing crisis

From CanCon by Jordan Heath-Rawlings, Laura Palmer, Mat Keselman

May 7, 2026 · 31 min · Episode 32

About this episode

The episode explores the emotional complexities surrounding home ownership in Canada amidst a housing crisis and income inequality.

A roof over one's head has been a necessity of life since we lived in caves. But when that roof also represents Canada's class struggle, our income inequality issues and potentially the owner's entire retirement portfolio...things get complicated. More than half of young Canadians don't expect they'll ever own a home. There are millions of Canadians right now who own their homes thanks to privilege, timing, relationships and...just plain ol' luck. Some of those lucky Canadians, including Cancon's host and today's guest, look around and see the generations following them stuck in shoebox apartments with no hope of qualifying for a mortgage and feel guilty for owning their homes. Not enough to do much about it, mind you, but still, guilty. Are we part of the problem? Today we unpack the complicated dynamics of home ownership, at a time when a human right has become an investment strategy.

People in this episode

Host: Jordan Heath-Rawlings

Topics covered

  • housing crisis
  • income inequality
  • home ownership
  • class struggle
  • young Canadians
  • privilege

Keywords

  • housing crisis
  • Canada
  • income inequality
  • home ownership
  • young Canadians
  • class struggle
  • privilege

Mentioned in this episode

Places: Canada

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