OREB Welcomes Pro-Housing Measures in the 2026 Ontario Budget
March 27, 2026
OTTAWA, ON – The 2026 Ontario Budget comes at a critical time for Ottawa’s housing market, as pent-up demand, persistent supply shortages, rising development, and ownership costs continue to impact affordability, limit mobility for Ontarians, and restrict available housing at certain price points and inventory types.
The Ottawa Real Estate Board (OREB) welcomes the removal of the full 13 per cent HST on qualifying new home purchases through a combined provincial and federal rebate from April 1, 2026, to March 31, 2027, subject to federal legislation. Eligible buyers could receive up to $130,000 in relief, with full benefits applying to homes valued up to $1 million.
By lowering upfront costs, this time-limited rebate is expected to provide short-term relief for homebuyers, support move-up activity, and encourage additional housing supply. It represents a meaningful step toward reducing upfront barriers at a time when many households continue to face barriers to entering or moving within the housing market.
OREB also welcomes the province’s investment in housing-enabling infrastructure, alongside the $1.2 billion Building Faster Fund to support municipalities delivering new homes, and continued investments in supportive housing. These measures are essential to unlocking supply.
The province’s commitment to work with the federal government to support municipalities that reduce development charges is also a crucial step, as these costs remain a key driver of housing affordability.
Together, these measures reflect the coordinated, multi-level government approach OREB has consistently called for and builds on sustained advocacy from the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA), Ontario Real Estate Association (OREA), and partners across the real estate and homebuilding sectors.
OREB recognizes the leadership of Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy and Premier Doug Ford and will continue to advocate on behalf of REALTORS® for practical, permanent solutions that reduce costs, accelerate housing supply, and deliver meaningful progress for consumers in Ottawa and across Ontario.
