November 2025 – Ottawa Real Estate Board

OREB Statement on Bill 60: Fighting Delays, Building Faster Act

Housing affordability remains one of the most urgent challenges facing residents across the City of Ottawa. Families are struggling to enter the housing market, young people increasingly doubt they will ever be able to buy a home in the communities they grew up in, and rental housing is becoming less secure and more expensive for many.

The passage of the Fighting Delays, Building Faster Act, 2025 (Bill 60) is a welcome attempt by the Province of Ontario to speed up Ontario’s housing and infrastructure system by reducing lengthy delays across multiple government processes, including at the Landlord Tenant Board (LTB).

For years, systemic delays and backlogs at the LTB have undermined confidence in the system for both tenants and rental property owners and made the Ontario rental system difficult to navigate and unfair for many. OREB supports measures to speed up hearings, make dispute resolution more efficient, target chronic and high-risk tenancy issues, and restore confidence in the rental market to unlock more rental housing.

In addition, OREB supports measures in Bill 60 aimed at addressing the impact of development charges and other barriers standing in the way of building more affordable housing. High and unpredictable growth-related costs are passed on to buyers and renters, making it harder for families to find homes they can afford. Bill 60 takes important steps to bring more consistency and transparency to how municipalities calculate, administer, and report on development charges. Improving predictability around DCs is a critical step toward lowering the cost of building homes for families, seniors, and renters.

As part of our association’s recent 2025 Days of Action at City Hall, OREB advocated for lower development charges, stronger protections for tenants and rental property owners, and a general city zoning by-law focused on affordability, certainty, and supply. These remain core OREB priorities and we will continue working closely with provincial and municipal partners to ensure Ottawa does not fall further behind on housing affordability.

While Bill 60 is an important step forward, the Bill does weaken some tenant protections. OREB will closely monitor the implementation of the Bill to ensure that it does not lead to unwarranted evictions, reduced appeal rights, or greater housing instability for renters. LTB reform is long overdue, and although Bill 60 represents an initial step, more work is needed to restore affordability and ensure balanced protections across the rental housing system.

OREB will continue to encourage the province to pursue measures that increase housing supply, strengthen overall confidence in the housing system, improve affordability and reduce costs for homebuyers. This includes expanding the HST rebate to all homes.

Paul Czan
2025 President
Ottawa Real Estate Board

Statement From OREB Regarding Release Of Dentons Report And Province’s Consideration To Appoint RECO Administrator

Buying or selling a home is one of the most significant financial decisions Ontarians will make, and it depends on a foundation of trust between consumers and the real estate professionals who guide them. As the Ottawa Real Estate Board (OREB), we share this responsibility to protect that trust.

The findings outlined in the independent review and audit of the Real Estate Council of Ontario (RECO) from Dentons Canada LLP make it abundantly clear that more is needed to uphold the confidence that home buyers, sellers, and renters deserve.

OREB recently surveyed its brokers and managers about the iPro matter and more than 60% expressed a decreased confidence in RECO’s ability to effectively regulate brokerages and protect consumers. As stated by Minister Stephen Crawford in his letter to RECO’s Board Chair, the real estate sector has ‘lost confidence in its regulator.’

Considering the severity of the issues identified, we fully support the proposal by Minister Crawford to appoint an administrator for RECO to provide stronger oversight, more accountability, and enhanced consumer protection in the real estate sector.

OREB stands ready to work alongside the Government of Ontario, as well as our fellow boards and associations, on all necessary reforms that reinforce transparency and protect the public interest.

Sales Rise as Inventory Levels Ease in October

OTTAWA, ON — Ottawa’s market continues to be resilient despite broader concerns about economic uncertainty. In October, Ottawa’s housing market experienced a modest, seasonal increase in sales activity accompanied by a reduction in the elevated inventory levels seen in recent months. This points to a stable yet cautious phase for the region as we move into the typically slower winter season.

Last month, a total of 1,177 homes were sold, up 8.1% from 1,089 in September 2025, but down slightly year over year with a 1.2% decrease compared to October of 2024. The average sale price climbed to $709,002, an increase of 2.7% month over month and 5.7% higher than the same period last year, suggesting that underlying demand remains resilient.

Ottawa saw 2,405 new listings in October, a 15.1% decline from September 2025, but 13.4% higher than October 2024. This seasonal drop off in new listings between September and October has been a consistent pattern over the past decade. More notably, active listings fell from 4,388 in September to 4,232 in October, a 3.6% decrease. While inventory levels remain higher than in recent years, this familiar fall decrease in active listings suggests that the trend towards elevated supply levels may be starting to stabilize, still within a balanced market range. Reinforcing that trend, the months of inventory measure eased from 4.0 to 3.6, indicating a modest tightening in the balance between buyers and sellers as the fall market settled.

The Bank of Canada’s second consecutive rate cut on Oct. 29, 2025, lowered the policy rate by 25 basis points to 2.25%, providing additional relief to borrowers and some optimism for an active spring market. However, the bank tempered expectations for further easing, noting in its statement that this is likely the final cut in the current cycle. The Ottawa Real Estate Board (OREB) is monitoring the newly released federal budget and workforce announcements, as cuts in either area have historically affected Ottawa’s housing market given the city’s large federal employment base.

Overall, Ottawa continues to display a pattern of measured balance, modestly improving demand, steady prices, and a market environment that remains fundamentally healthy as it heads toward year-end.

“Ottawa’s market continues to demonstrate balance and resilience,” said OREB President Paul Czan. “We’re seeing modest growth in sales activity, stable pricing, and a seasonal easing of elevated inventory levels. The recent rate adjustments provide optimism for the coming months, but economic uncertainty looms, and buyers and sellers remain cautious, watching how broader economic factors play out. The current environment points to a steady market rather than a rapid shift in either direction.”

Residential Market Activity

Year to date, 12,197 homes have sold, a 3.3% increase over the first 10 months of 2024. The total dollar volume through October reached $8.55 billion, up 6.5% year over year, while the average year-to-date price stands at $700,869, a 3.0% increase year over year.

Looking at the bigger picture, there have been 12,197 home sales so far this year, a 3.3% increase compared to the same period in 2024.

The average sale price for all sold listings in October was $709,002, up 5.7% from last year and 2.7% higher than September.

The year-to-date average price now stands at $700,869, a 3.0% increase over the first ten months of 2024.

Altogether, the total value of homes sold in October was approximately $834.5 million, a 4.5% year-over-year increase, and sits just under $8.5 billion year to date, a significant 6.5% increase over the same period of time in 2024.

On the listing side, there were 2,405 new residential listings added in October, down 15.1% from September but still 13.4% higher than last year.

Active listings totaled 4,232, a 3.6% decrease from September but 21.3% higher year over year.

The months of inventory, a key measure of supply, eased from 4.0 in September to 3.6, reflecting a slightly tighter balance between supply and demand within what remains a generally balanced market.

MLS® Home Price Index (HPI)

The MLS® Home Price Index (HPI) composite benchmark for Ottawa was $622,700 in October, down 0.7% month over month but up 0.7% year over year, continuing the trend of moderate, sustainable price movements rather than volatility.

By property category:

Single-family: $692,400 up 0.3% compared to 2024

Townhouse: $456,300 up 6.6% compared to 2024

Apartment: $402,900 up 0.1% compared to 2024

For media inquiries, please contact:

Melanie Coulson, Director of Strategic Communications & Engagement

613-225-2240 ext.247 | melanie@oreb.ca

Federal Budget a Step Forward, but Falls Short on Immediate Housing Affordability in Ottawa

Ottawa, ON — The Ottawa Real Estate Board (OREB) welcomes the housing investments in Canada Strong: Budget 2025, as several measures align with the Board’s ongoing calls for coordinated action to expand housing supply.

OREB acknowledges the federal government’s efforts to boost housing supply through Build Canada Homes, including a $1 billion investment for transitional and supportive housing for those experiencing homelessness, and a recommitment to invest $2.8 billion through the Urban, Rural, Northern and Indigenous Housing Strategy.

While these are important ‘generational investments’, the proposed federal budget falls short of addressing the immediate affordability challenges faced by Ottawa residents, and lacks concrete measures to help Canadians currently aspiring to achieve affordable homeownership. The Budget missed an opportunity to explicitly encourage the construction of more missing middle housing such as townhomes, duplexes, and low-rise apartments that are entry points for many first-time buyers.

The Budget does confirm several previously announced measures, including the elimination of the GST on new homes for first-time buyers. These are important steps that will help lower costs, facilitate greater movement through the market, and encourage construction.

“Ottawa families are struggling to find homes they can afford,” said Paul Czan, President of OREB. “Although we are pleased that the federal government is investing in housing, we were looking for a stronger focus on coordinated action between all levels of government to make the dream of home ownership a reality.” A recent survey conducted by Abacus Data for OREB underscores the urgency of this challenge.

82% of Ottawa residents are concerned about the city’s housing situation.
67% describe local housing as unaffordable.
71% of non-homeowners still hope to buy a home
50% doubt they’ll ever be able to afford one in their community of choice.

The survey also found that 62% of respondents are worried that should their financial situation suddenly change, they could lose their home or rental unit. A concern that could deepen following Tuesday’s announced cuts to the federal public service, which may have a marked effect on Ottawa and area’s housing market.

“These numbers paint a stark picture,” said Nicole Christy, CEO of OREB. “Ottawa residents want more affordable housing options, especially missing middle homes that seniors, families, and young people can afford. The federal government has taken a step in the right direction, but there’s still more work ahead.”

In a city where infrastructure costs drive up the price of every new home, OREB sees value in the federal government’s move to connect federal infrastructure funding to affordability reforms. Historically, much of this cost has been covered through development charges, which in Ottawa can add up to $63,000 to the price of a new low-rise home. The new Community Housing Infrastructure Fund provides municipalities with federal support for these critical infrastructure projects, creating an opportunity to reduce development charges, lower costs, and accelerate construction.

Furthermore, OREB supports the federal government’s decision to eliminate programs that added administrative burdens without meaningfully improving housing supply, such as the Underused Housing Tax.

“Ottawa can’t solve its housing crisis without lowering costs and cutting red tape. This Budget gives governments an opportunity to do both, but it’s time to seize that opportunity.” added Christy.

While Budget 2025 takes meaningful steps to support housing supply and infrastructure, Ottawa residents still face significant affordability challenges. We have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to lower costs, accelerate construction, and expand attainable options like missing middle housing.

OREB will continue to call for stronger coordination between all levels of government to ensure federal investments align with provincial and municipal housing investments and reforms, opening more doors to attainable housing and home ownership in Ottawa.