Keys to Home Confidence | Credit Canada

Keys to Home Confidence

Helping you understand and manage housing costs in Canada,
with practical tools and information for renters, first-time home buyers, and homeowners.
Start Building Home Confidence

Housing Costs at a Glance

More than 40%

of household income often goes to housing, making it the largest expense for most Canadians.

1 in 5

 renters spend over 50% of their income on housing — well above affordability guidelines.

44%

of first-time home buyers face unexpected upfront expenses such as inspection costs, legal fees, or immediate repairs after moving in.

Hear from Credit Canada’s CEO, Bruce Sellery, about what the Keys to Home Confidence program is.

Feel Confident Where You Live

Your home is your biggest asset, and often your biggest expense. Get clear, practical guidance to help you manage housing costs with confidence.

If it feels expensive, that’s because it is. In 2025 alone, we spoke to over 10,000 Canadians who have been struggling with the cost of living in Canada. Rents are going up, mortgage payments are increasing, and the cost of maintaining a home feels unmanageable. We can help you make it work.

Whether you own, rent, or looking to buy your first home, we have the practical guidance, helpful tools, and expert insights to make managing housing costs easier and less stressful. 

For 60 years, Credit Canada has helped millions of people find their financial footing and move forward with confidence. Keys to Home Confidence is a program built to do one thing: Help you feel better about where you live and how you pay for it.

What’s Your Housing Situation?

Whether you rent, own, or are planning to purchase your first home, we’re here to support you with practical tools, real guidance, and the confidence to move forward. Start where you are. We’ll guide you from there.

Keys to Renting with Confidence

Rent is often your biggest monthly expense, and for many Canadians, it’s getting harder to keep up. Learn how much rent you can afford, how to avoid costly mistakes, and how to build a budget that works in real life.

Assets for KTHC Landing Page (3)-1Free Renter’s Guide for Budgeting and Housing Costs in Canada

Get a practical, easy-to-follow guide designed to help you manage rent, plan your budget, and stay financially stable. 

Download the Guide

 

Renting Statistics in Canada: 
Housing Costs and Affordability Trends

Rent may be your biggest expense. Understanding the numbers can help you make more informed decisions about renting.

  • 1 in 3 Canadian households rent their home
  • 1 in 5 renters spend over 50% of their income on housing
  • Renters in Canada spend an average of 40% of their income on housing
  • Rental scams are rising, with Canadians losing thousands each time

Renting in Canada Video Series: Budgeting, Tenant Rights, and Rental Costs

Explore short, guided videos that break down the most important topics for renters in Canada. Watch the Keys to Renting with Confidence video series.

Keys to Buying a Home with Confidence

Buying your first home is a major financial step. It can feel exciting and overwhelming at the same time. Learn how to prepare, budget, and plan for the full cost of homeownership.

First-Rime Homebuyer's GuidebookFirst-Time Home Buyer Guide Canada: Budgeting, Mortgages, and Hidden Costs

Download a comprehensive guide to help you understand affordability, save for a down payment, and ask the right questions when speaking with mortgage brokers and real estate agents.

Download the Guide

First-Time Home Buyer Statistics in Canada: Costs and Market Challenges

Buying your first home involves more than just saving a down payment.

  • High home prices and upfront costs remain a major barrier to homeownership in Canada
  • Many first-time home buyers face additional costs such as legal fees, inspections, and repairs
  • Ongoing costs after purchase can significantly impact affordability

First-Time Home Buying Video Series in Canada: Mortgage Affordability and Readiness

Get insights that walk you through the key steps of buying your first home. Watch the Keys to Buying a Home with Confidence video series.

Keys to Confident Homeownership

Owning a home doesn’t stop at the mortgage. From rising costs and unexpected repairs to refinancing decisions and maintenance, staying informed helps you stay in control.

Homeowner Confidence KitHomeowner Financial Planning Guide Canada: Maintenance, Refinancing, and Budgeting

Access a practical guide to help you manage ongoing costs, navigate refinancing decisions, and protect your financial stability.

Download the Guide

Homeownership Costs in Canada: Key Statistics and Financial Insights

Owning a home involves more than just your mortgage payment.

  • Housing costs make up the largest share of household spending in Canada
  • Maintenance can cost 1% to 4% of a home’s value annually
  • Homeowners spend an average of 43% of their income on housing

Homeownership Video Series Canada: Maintenance Costs, HELOCs, and Budgeting Tips

Learn how to manage the real costs of owning a home through these guided videos. Watch the Keys to Confident Homeownership video series.

Keys to Home Confidence Webinars

Bruce Sellery and Sherry Holmes

Planning Home Projects When Money Is Tight with Bruce Sellery and Sherry Holmes

October 8, 2026 - 7 PM ET

Join Bruce Sellery, Credit Canada's CEO, bestselling personal finance author, and the trusted voice behind Moolala: Money Made Simple, as he teams up with contractor and TV personality Sherry Holmes for a can't-miss conversation where money expertise meets hands-on home know-how. Together, they're breaking down exactly how to tackle home projects on a real-world budget.

Register Now
family moving in with boxes in their hands

How to Save Money as a Renter

October 15, 2026 - 7 PM ET

You budgeted for rent. But did you budget for the rest? There are utilities that creep up every winter, tenant insurance, or the security deposit on your next place. For most renters, these "extras" aren't extra at all. They're the real cost of housing, and they're often the reason it feels impossible to get ahead.

Join Credit Canada's experts for a practical, no-judgment conversation about finding ways to save money as a renter, building a safety net, and renting smarter, whatever your situation looks like.

Register Now

Understand Your Housing Costs

and Plan Ahead  

Use our free Budget Planner to see where your money goes, understand how housing costs fit into your budget, and build a sustainable spending plan.  

Download the Budget Planner

Enter the Keys to Home Confidence Giveaway

We’re celebrating the launch of Keys to Home Confidence with a limited-time giveaway designed to help Canadians feel more confident at home.

Win One of Two Home Confidence Prize Bundles

Sparkling Home Bundle: Featuring an Electrolux WellQ7 Cordless 2-in-1 Hard Floor Stick Vacuum, essential cleaning supplies, and a Keys to Home Confidence Bundle with money management resources and Credit Canada swag. (approx. retail value: $500)

Handy Home Bundle: Includes a BLACK+DECKER 20V MAX Lithium-Ion Cordless Drill and Project Kit, DIY essentials, and a Keys to Home Confidence Bundle with money management resources and Credit Canada swag. (approx. retail value: $370)

How to Enter the Giveaway

  • Follow Credit Canada on Instagram
  • Like the giveaway post
  • Comment on the post and tag a friend
  • Share a money-saving tip you use at home

Giveaway Eligibility and Key Dates

  • Open to Canadian residents outside Quebec, age 18 and older
  • Contest runs from September 17 to October 7, 2026
  • Winners are selected by random draw within 7 days of closing
  • Winners will be contacted by direct message and must respond within 72 hours
  • Read the full rules & regs here

Recent Media on Housing Affordability in Canada

Explore recent media coverage featuring Credit Canada experts offering insights and commentary on housing affordability across Canada. 

Credit Canada CEO Bruce Sellery joins CTV's Maralee Caruso to break down new StatsCan data on rising rent and mortgage costs.

CTV News Regina Core Housing Needs

CTV News Regina's Damian Smith speaks with Credit Canada CEO Bruce Sellery about how much Canadians are spending on housing.

Bruce Sellery speaks with CTV News Atlantic about the number of Canadians living in affordable housing and what they can do.

In This Economy?! What Would You Sacrifice to Achieve Home Ownership

 Host Kris McCusker speaks with Credit Canada CEO Bruce Sellery about tips for managing homeownership expectations and what changes to consider. 

The Shift

Counselling and Client Services Manager Mike Bergeron speaks with The Shift's Kristen Siapas about how to manage housing costs.

couple looking at the laptop and thinking

Credit Canada CEO Bruce Sellery speaks with Jessica Gibson on how most Canadians don’t know how much they spend on housing.

Blogs to Help You Navigate Housing Costs

man holding a woman in his arms with boxes around them

How to Get Approved for a Mortgage in Canada

Read the Blog
Hand holding a house and a pen

Need Help with Rent? A Guide to Rent Assistance Programs in Canada

Read the Blog

Take the First Step

No matter where you’re starting from, there’s a path forward to a home you can afford and feel good about. That’s why we’re here. To listen, to guide, and to help you move forward with clarity and confidence. Get the support you need to live the life you want, free from the weight of debt.

Speak with a Credit Counsellor

Frequently Asked Questions

Have questions? We are here to help.

How much rent can I afford in Canada?

What are the hidden costs of buying a home in Canada?

How much should homeowners budget for maintenance?

What is included in the Keys to Home Confidence program?

Who is Credit Canada?

Can I use this program if I already own a home?

Is the program free to use?

What is a HELOC and how does it work?

How can I avoid rental scams in Canada?

How do I enter the giveaway?