Vancouver Housing Forecast Warns Prices Could Hit $2.8 Million

It’s getting harder to picture a future where a young woman can safely build her life in Vancouver. Rent is climbing faster than pay cheques, commutes are getting longer, and home ownership feels like a story from another generation. Now, a new Vancouver housing forecast warns that the city’s median home price could reach 2.8 million within the next decade.

For most, that number isn’t just about economics. It shapes where we live, how far we travel to work, and how safe we feel when we walk home at night.

The Concordia Equiton housing study doesn’t just predict price trends; it hints at what daily life could look like for an entire generation trying to stay in the city.

The Study Behind the Vancouver Housing Forecast

When headlines announce 2.8 million homes, it’s easy to imagine it happening overnight. In reality, the forecast comes from a July 2025 study by Concordia University’s John Molson School of Business and real estate firm Equiton.

Using AI modeling, researchers projected where prices could land by 2032. They found that if Vancouver keeps building homes at its current pace, median prices could rise from around 2.5 million today to nearly 2.8 million by 2032. Even doubling housing completions would only hold prices steady at about 2.5 million.

Why It Feels Impossible to Find a Place You Can Afford

Scrolling through listings that disappear in minutes isn’t just frustrating; it’s the clearest sign of a housing shortage that has fallen far behind demand. The study found Vancouver adds new homes at less than 2 percent of its total stock each year, far below what’s needed to balance prices.

Delays in approvals and rising construction costs make the situation worse. Every slow permit or price hike means fewer safe, affordable places to live. It’s why so many people are being priced into riskier housing situations, often far from work or reliable transit.

The Safety Ripple Effect of Unaffordable Housing

High prices don’t just block home ownership; they reshape daily safety. Young women are renting in less secure neighborhoods, taking short-term leases, or moving in with strangers to make rent. With constant roommate changes and unstable landlords, privacy and safety become harder to maintain.

Longer commutes add new risks. Late buses, empty SkyTrain stations, and dark walks home are part of the hidden cost of being priced out of central Vancouver. The housing crisis isn’t only about money; it’s about how secure you feel living in your own city.

What to Watch For in Vancouver’s Housing Debate

Policy change can feel distant, but small shifts matter. The Concordia study points to one fix that could help: building more homes faster. Streamlining permits and expanding zoning for purpose-built rentals could open safer, longer-term housing options.

As new projects appear, look for signs of change that actually improve safety: secure building access, better lighting, and mixed-use neighborhoods that stay active at night. These are small but measurable steps toward making high-density living safer for everyone.

Staying Safe When Housing Options Are Limited

Even if affordability doesn’t improve soon, there are ways to protect yourself. Before signing a lease, confirm the unit is legally registered and ask for written terms about locks, access, and repairs. In shared spaces, set boundaries early and keep a trusted contact updated on where you live.

If you ever feel unsafe or need advice, reach out to BC Housing, the Tenant Resource and Advisory Centre (TRAC), or VictimLinkBC. They provide free help on tenancy disputes, rental rights, and safety planning across British Columbia.

The Bottom Line

The Vancouver housing forecast isn’t just a statistic; it’s a sign of where the city is heading if nothing changes. The affordability crisis is now inseparable from its safety challenges.

Until more homes are built and policies shift, young women will keep navigating a Vancouver where financial stress and personal safety are closely linked. Knowing the facts is the first step toward changing that story.