The Missing Middle with Mike Moffatt and Sabrina Maddeaux Grading Provinces on Housing: Who Earned an A and Who Deserves Detention?
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Dec 12, 2025 Mike Moffatt, a housing economist and policy researcher, discusses his latest 2025 Provincial HOMES Report Card that grades Canadian provinces on housing performance. New Brunswick and P.E.I. shine, while Ontario struggles with high costs trapping young adults at home. Moffatt reveals that 36 indicators assess everything from affordability to societal outcomes. He critiques policies like inclusionary zoning, which can backfire, and emphasizes the need for provinces to learn from each other to avoid harmful approaches. Tune in for insights on what truly boosts housing supply!
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Atlantic Provinces Lead, Ontario Trails
- New Brunswick and P.E.I. lead provinces on housing by building supply and keeping homeownership healthy.
- Ontario ranks worst, showing that supply and policy failures drive severe housing problems.
A 36-Point HOMES Assessment
- The HOMES score uses 36 indicators across five buckets linking policy to affordability, suitability, and adequacy.
- The index maps indicators to Canada's three-part test for housing as a human right.
Irrelevant Policies Correlate With Poor Outcomes
- Many provinces keep harmful or irrelevant policies like high development charges and vacant‑home taxes.
- Provinces with irrelevant policies tend to perform worse, though causality isn't proven.