Ottawa housing starts down 10% in 2026

New homes are constructed in Ottawa on Monday, Aug. 14, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

Housing starts in the City of Ottawa are down 10 per cent so far this year, with thousands of approved homes are still waiting for construction to start.

New statistics from the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation show construction began on 3,728 homes, apartments and condominiums in the January to May period, down from 4,127 homes beginning construction during the same period in 2025.

Across Canada, housing starts are up three per cent through the first five months of the year to 93,644 housing starts.

In May, construction began on 654 units in Ottawa, up from 627 units in May 2025.

According to the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, 4,453 homes have been approved and are awaiting construction to begin.

A total of 17,212 homes, apartments and condominiums are currently under construction in Ottawa.

Construction was completed on 764 units in Ottawa in May, down from 837 homes completed in May 2025.

New home construction has increased 41 per cent in Gatineau so far this year. The report shows construction began on 1,573 homes and apartments through the January-May period, up from 1,112 homes under construction during the first five months of 2025.

Construction has begun on 276 new homes in Kingston so far in 2026.

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