Saskatchewan housing starts up 23.9% year over year

Saskatchewan housing starts have increased by nearly a quarter over the past year.

According to the provincial government, data from the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation show housing starts increased by 23.9 per cent between July of 2025 and last month, putting Saskatchewan second among provinces in terms of growth.

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Housing starts for single-family homes rose by 22.8 per cent over that period, the province noted, while multi-unit starts increased by 24.5 per cent.

“The growth we are seeing in our housing starts is a strong indication that people from across Canada and the world are choosing to live, work and raise their families in Saskatchewan,” Warren Kaeding, Saskatchewan’s trade and export development minister, said in a statement.

“Every new housing project creates jobs, attracts investment and supports local businesses, helping drive economic growth in communities across the province.”

The Ministry of Finance said Saskatchewan is on pace to match the 6,150 housing starts seen in the province in 2025, with 3,083 new starts between January and June.

“The construction of new rental units has been significant in recent years with 6,371 new rental units completed between 2023 and 2025. This brought Saskatchewan’s total rental stock to 44,802 units in 2025, the highest level on record,” the ministry noted.

“It is anticipated that when the data for 2026 becomes available, based on current trends, it will show a new record level of primary rental supply in Saskatchewan.”

But while housing starts will increase the number of new homes on the market, the province’s supply of homes is not keeping pace with demand from buyers in the province, according to figures shared by the Saskatchewan Realtors Association.

The association reported 1,849 residential sales across Saskatchewan in June, which was up five per cent from a year earlier and more than 18 per cent above the 10-year average. New listings rose six per cent to 2,735 during the month of June, but inventory remained nearly 50 per cent below the 10-year average.

“For months, we’ve talked about Saskatchewan’s housing supply challenges, but the bigger story today is demand,” said Chris Guérette, the association’s CEO, in a statement.

“More homes are coming onto the market than they did a year ago, but buyers are purchasing them almost as quickly as they’re listed. That’s why inventory continues to tighten, why months of supply have reached historic lows, and why we’re seeing another month of record benchmark prices.”

Guérette said the rising demand reflects growth in Saskatchewan, but warned that the low supply of homes could start to hamper that growth if more inventory doesn’t hit the market.

“Housing isn’t just supporting Saskatchewan’s growth anymore; it’s becoming one of the factors that will determine how much we can grow,” she said.

“Every new worker, every young family and every new resident needs somewhere to call home. Meeting that demand is one of the biggest opportunities in front of us.”

But while the supply of homes available for purchase is low, the provincial finance ministry noted that prices in Saskatchewan are also lower than what buyers would find in other provinces.

“As of July 2026, the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) benchmark home price in Saskatchewan stands at $383,500, compared to the national benchmark price of $661,800, demonstrating Saskatchewan continues to be among the most affordable provinces for home ownership,” the ministry said.

— with files from paNOW’s Susan McNeil