Buying While Black: Barriers to Black Homeownership in the GTHA
Homeownership has traditionally served as a primary avenue for wealth accumulation among Canadian households. However, many Black Canadians still face barriers to homeownership, particularly in the Greater Toronto Hamilton Area (GTHA). With homeownership rates among Black households within the Toronto CMA remaining the lowest at 38.9%, compared to 62.3% for racialized groups and 67.9% for non-racialized groups, a significant economic disparity persists. This gap impedes the intergenerational transfer of wealth for Black households, exacerbating existing economic inequalities.
This study promotes improved access to homeownership for Black Canadians as part of a broader effort to confront systemic anti-Black racism in societal and institutional frameworks. Achieving this goal requires comprehensive governmental policies and investments, as well as reforms within the real estate sector, to address and raise awareness of the obstacles confronting potential Black homeowners. Additionally, community-level investments are crucial to empower Black and other racialized groups to participate in wealth accumulation through the housing market, fostering intergenerational prosperity and socioeconomic equity.
Our Main Goals
The research explores the obstacles that hinder homeownership for Black Canadians using a mixed-method approach that incorporates statistical analysis, survey data, and qualitative interviews with Black homebuyers and real estate professionals.
KEY BARRIERS FACING BLACK HOMEBUYERS
Challenges in securing down payments, qualifying for mortgages, and accessing equity.
Limited exposure to the home-buying process, weak financial literacy, and difficulty accessing reliable information.
Discriminatory treatment when attempting to purchase a home, including more scrutiny on mortgage applications, steering towards racialized neighbourhoods, undervaluation of homes, and rejection of offers without apparent cause.
Share Your Experience.
Research Team
Dr. Nemoy Lewis
Toronto Metropolitan University
Alexander Lovell
Selma Elkhazin
Abigail Moriah
Black Planning Project
Richard Maaranen
Jamila Gowie
Hanaa Ali
Black Planning Project
Dr. Orlena Broomes
Jodie Laborde
Funders and Partners









