The Central Lakes Association of Realtors (CLAR) is calling on the federal government to make housing a cornerstone of its plan to rebuild and grow the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF), warning that a chronic shortage of adequate military homes is hurting recruitment, retention and morale.
In its new report, CLAR outlines 11 policy measures to modernize, expand, and better manage military and veteran housing. The Bowmanville, Ont.-based association represents more than 2,600 Realtors across Durham Region, Northumberland County, Peterborough County, Kawartha Lakes and Quinte Region — an area that includes CFB Trenton, Canada’s largest Air Force base.
“Canada’s ability to build and sustain a strong, modern military begins with supporting the people who serve us,” said 2025 CLAR President Christine Riley. “Ensuring that every CAF member, whether a recruit or seasoned veteran … has access to stable, affordable housing is essential to the recruitment, retention, and the overall well-being of our military and its members.” She added that strengthening CAF housing “is an investment in Canada’s future” and critical to meeting NATO commitments.
Auditor general findings highlight the crisis
CLAR’s report follows the Auditor General of Canada’s October 2025 investigation, which found that National Defence is failing to meet operational housing needs. As of March 2025, the Canadian Forces Housing Agency (CFHA) managed about 11,700 homes against an operational requirement of 17,000 to 19,000 — a shortfall of up to 7,200 units.
Only five per cent of high-priority repairs had been completed at the three bases examined, while more than 3,700 CAF members remained on waitlists — a 17:1 gap between applicants and available units. The auditor general also found that many homes were in poor condition, with nearly 1,445 below standard. Maintenance spending was just 1.4 per cent of asset value, well short of the two per cent target, and preventive maintenance was 27.8 per cent against an 80 per cent target.
“Canadian Armed Forces members are often required to relocate multiple times during their careers,” said CLAR President-Elect Kirby Eady. “Finding affordable, good-quality housing … where duty demands can be challenging. Many bases are in remote locations or in some of Canada’s highest-cost housing markets where the supply of attainable homes both on and off base is limited.”
Modernization, partnerships and veteran supports
CLAR’s recommendations focus on three key priorities: scaling and modernizing CAF housing, developing near-base partnerships, and supporting veterans’ transition to civilian life. The report urges the federal government to accelerate renovation and construction of Residential Housing Units (RHUs), develop housing partnerships with municipalities and non-profits, and use surplus public lands near bases for new military and veteran homes.
Among its 11 recommendations, CLAR also proposes a Canada Veteran Home Ownership Benefit — a flexible loan program modelled on the U.S. Veterans Affairs loan system — to help transitioning CAF members build equity and stability after service. It also calls on Ontario to establish a Provincial Veterans’ Housing Advisory Council to coordinate policies and monitor progress.
“The federal government’s plan to grow the CAF to 86,000 members will be challenging unless housing is made central to the recruitment pitch,” said Wendy Giroux, CEO, CLAR. “If the Forces can’t promise an affordable home, they can’t promise stability.”
Local and national implications
The shortage of military housing is particularly acute near CFB Trenton, where CLAR says spillover effects are straining local markets, pushing up rents and limiting supply for civilians and service families alike. Giroux adds that addressing the issue “is about keeping a promise to Canada’s heroes.”
CLAR concludes that fixing CAF housing is not just a matter of affordability — it’s a matter of national security. “Every Canadian understands that those who serve deserve a safe, stable place to live.”
