Evictions in Canada: Links between evictions and homelessness

While most evictions in Canada don’t result in homelessness, they can increase the risk — particularly for those already facing housing instability and other challenges. Using 2021 Canadian Housing Survey data and past research, this Research Insight examines how often eviction and homelessness occur together, who is most affected and what the findings mean for prevention and support programs.

Key Highlights

• 7% of Canadians have experienced eviction. Among people who have experienced homelessness, the rate is much higher — 28% have also experienced eviction.
• Among all households who were evicted in 2021, 19.1% experienced hidden homelessness that same year.
• Among all households who experienced absolute or hidden homelessness in 2021, 9.8% were evicted that same year.

This research insight is the first in a 3-part series on evictions in Canada. The other reports in the series explore:

• Evictions in Canada: Inequities in health among groups at higher risk of evictions
• Evictions in Canada: Populations experiencing vulnerabilities

Author:

CMHC

Document Type:

PDF

Date Published:

September 9, 2025