After three decades helping Vancouverites find homes, I’ve seen firsthand how deeply homeownership shapes our sense of belonging. For newcomers to Canada, this is especially true: nine in ten say owning a home helps them feel established—yet fewer than one in three have reached that milestone so far. The dream is very much alive, though. Among those who don’t yet own, three-quarters still see homeownership as a top priority, and nearly half hope to buy within the next two years.
What stands in the way? The biggest hurdles newcomers face are saving for a down payment, securing stable employment, and building a Canadian credit history—challenges I often help clients navigate. Some good news: there are federal housing programs that recognize international credit reports or home-country financial references, and rent-to-own options have opened doors for one in five newcomer homeowners.
With permanent resident admissions set at 380,000 per year through 2028, more and more newcomers will be preparing for their own journeys to homeownership. As someone who believes that finding the right home is about more than just a roof over your head, I’m always inspired by the resilience and determination newcomers bring to the process—and I’m committed to supporting each unique path to a place called home.
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