Gregor Robertson is right — the housing market can be made more affordable without crashing home prices

Gregor Robertson, Canada’s new housing minister, has made a bold and thoughtful point: you don’t need to crash home prices to make housing more affordable. Instead, he argues, the key lies in building more homes and keeping the market steady. This view is important because many Canadians worry that lowering prices could damage people’s savings or destabilize the economy.

Analysts agree with Robertson. Many people think the only way to improve affordability is through falling prices, but that’s not the case. A sudden drop in prices would hurt homeowners, reduce consumer spending, and threaten the stability of financial systems. In contrast, stable prices protect both families and the broader economy.

So how can affordability improve if prices don’t fall? The answer lies in income growth and interest rates. If household incomes rise faster than mortgage costs, homes become more affordable even if prices stay high. Robertson emphasizes this balance: growing supply, stable prices, and better income trends can help families achieve housing security.

Another key idea is focusing on different parts of the housing market. There’s a real demand for starter homes—small condos or modest houses. By building more of those, Robertson’s plan could ease pressure on entry-level buyers without upsetting the value of larger homes. This strategy supports first-timers, while preserving equity for people who already own.

To make this work, policies must push supply higher. That means cutting red tape, simplifying zoning rules, and supporting mid-sized buildings like duplexes and triplexes. Without more homes, prices will stay out of reach. But with new homes coming, affordability can improve without a sudden crash.

In the end, Robertson’s message is hopeful and practical. It calls for measured action: build more homes, grow incomes, keep prices steady. That way, housing becomes affordable not by dropping home values, but by shifting the balance in families’ favor. As Canada moves forward, this balanced plan could help ease the housing pinch—without crashing the market.