# Shawinigan's 2025 Housing Starts Surge 98.8%, Driven by Multi-Unit Construction Shawinigan recorded 479 housing starts in 2025, nearly double the 241 started in 2024, with 81% of the new construction focused on apartment and other multi-unit homes. This surge in multi-unit starts signals a significant shift in the local supply pipeline toward rental product, even as national financing pressures continue to weigh on broader affordability. Published 2026-09-22. Evidence snapshot 2026-09-22. ## Market summary Shawinigan recorded 479 housing starts in 2025, nearly double the 241 started in 2024, with 81% of the new construction focused on apartment and other multi-unit homes. This surge in multi-unit starts signals a significant shift in the local supply pipeline toward rental product, even as national financing pressures continue to weigh on broader affordability. ## Central finding Shawinigan's 2025 housing starts surged to 479 units, a 98.8% increase from 241 in 2024, with 81% of those starts being apartment and other multi-unit homes. This indicates a sharp shift toward rental-oriented supply in the local construction pipeline, which may influence future rental availability but does not directly measure current owner-occupied price dynamics. Sources: [Is Shawinigan (QC) building more housing these days? - Inspurious](https://inspurious.com/story/dcf6c1cd-0bd6-4c79-a614-3c532695bea2) ## How the numbers connect The share of apartment and other multi-unit homes among all housing starts in Shawinigan in 2025. Calculation: 390 apartment and other multi-unit starts / 479 total housing starts = 0.814 or approximately 81%. Definitions: Housing starts are units approved and picked up to start construction. The observation period is the calendar year 2025 for Shawinigan, QC. The denominator is the total number of housing starts in the city for that year. Limit: This calculation establishes the composition of new construction activity in 2025. It does not measure completions, net additions, occupancy permits, or actual move-ins. It also does not establish a trend, as only one year's data is provided. Sources: [Is Shawinigan (QC) building more housing these days? - Inspurious](https://inspurious.com/story/dcf6c1cd-0bd6-4c79-a614-3c532695bea2) ## National Financing Pressures and Local Transmission Limits The Bank of Canada held its policy rate at 2.25% on September 2, 2026, maintaining lender prime rates at 4.45% and leaving variable mortgage payments unchanged. Despite this stability, rising five-year Government of Canada bond yields near 3.65% are exerting upward pressure on fixed mortgage rates, potentially pushing them higher in the coming weeks. These national financing conditions create a backdrop of elevated borrowing costs that affect affordability across Canada, including Shawinigan, although no target-scoped transaction series establishes whether these conditions have altered local demand, prices, or sales. Borrowers renewing pandemic-era five-year fixed-rate mortgages can expect an average 15% increase in monthly payments, affecting approximately 12% of all outstanding Canadian mortgages over the next year. This renewal wave represents a significant financial burden for many households, potentially reducing disposable income and constraining purchasing power. While these pressures are measured at the national level, they provide context for the broader economic environment in which Shawinigan's housing market operates, without establishing specific local outcomes. Sources: [Best mortgage rates Canada | Compare Canada mortgage rates | Ratehub.ca](https://www.ratehub.ca/best-mortgage-rates) [Royal LePage Blog | Canadian Real Estate News | Canada's housing market poised for a fall rebound after a slow spring - Royal LePage Blog | Canadian Real Estate News](https://blog.royallepage.ca/canadas-housing-market-poised-for-a-fall-rebound-after-a-slow-spring/) ## Shift Toward Multi-Unit Supply in Shawinigan's Construction Pipeline Shawinigan recorded 479 housing starts in 2025, representing a 98.8% increase from the 241 units started in 2024. Of these 479 starts, 390 were apartment and other multi-unit homes, accounting for approximately 81% of the total. This sharp increase in multi-unit construction indicates a significant shift in the local supply pipeline toward rental-oriented product, which may influence future rental availability and market dynamics as these units are completed and delivered. The concentration of new construction in the multi-unit segment suggests that developers are responding to perceived demand for rental housing in Shawinigan. This shift could lead to increased rental supply in the coming years, potentially moderating rent growth or stabilizing rents if demand does not outpace the new supply. However, this analysis is based solely on start data and does not account for completions, net additions, or actual move-ins, which will determine the ultimate impact on the local housing market. Sources: [Is Shawinigan (QC) building more housing these days? - Inspurious](https://inspurious.com/story/dcf6c1cd-0bd6-4c79-a614-3c532695bea2) ## The strongest counter-case National financing conditions remain a headwind for broader demand. Borrowers renewing pandemic-era five-year fixed-rate mortgages face an average 15% payment increase, affecting about 12% of outstanding Canadian mortgages over the next year. Additionally, rising five-year Government of Canada bond yields near 3.65% are exerting upward pressure on fixed mortgage rates, potentially constraining buyer purchasing power nationally, though no target-scoped evidence confirms this has altered Shawinigan-specific transaction outcomes. Sources: [Royal LePage Blog | Canadian Real Estate News | Canada's housing market poised for a fall rebound after a slow spring - Royal LePage Blog | Canadian Real Estate News](https://blog.royallepage.ca/canadas-housing-market-poised-for-a-fall-rebound-after-a-slow-spring/) [Best mortgage rates Canada | Compare Canada mortgage rates | Ratehub.ca](https://www.ratehub.ca/best-mortgage-rates) ## Living here Shawinigan has 403 mapped amenities, including 27 schools, 54 parks, 2 dog parks, 265 transit stops, 4 childcare facilities, 10 grocery stores, and 41 recreation sites. Named features include École Dominique Savio, Parc Gervais, IGA, and Bulk Barn. Recreation: The city lists one recreation program: Camp de jour d’été 2021, a Summer Day Camp for children aged 5 to 12 residing in Shawinigan, held at multiple schools including école de la Petite-Rivièère and école des Bâtisseurs. Sources: [École Dominique Savio](https://www.openstreetmap.org/way/487246798) [école de la Petite-Rivière, école des Bâtisseurs, école des Phénix, école Dominique-Savio, école Immaculée-Conception recreation programs](https://www.shawinigan.ca/activites-et-evenements/2021/04/27/camp-de-jour-dete-inscriptions-en-ligne-des-le-13-mai-a-16-h-30/) ## The early signal The 2025 housing start count of 479 units in Shawinigan, specifically the 390 apartment and other multi-unit starts, serves as a leading indicator for future rental supply. How it reaches the market: A high volume of multi-unit starts increases the future supply of rental units. As these units are completed and delivered, they add to the rental inventory, which can moderate rent growth or stabilize rents if demand does not outpace the new supply. This mechanism affects the rental segment more directly than the owner-occupied market. Typical lead time: Housing starts typically lead completions and occupied units by several years, depending on project size and construction duration. Sources: [Is Shawinigan (QC) building more housing these days? - Inspurious](https://inspurious.com/story/dcf6c1cd-0bd6-4c79-a614-3c532695bea2) ## Next 3 months, through December 2026 Prices: flat. Flat for owner-occupied prices; slight downward pressure on future rental expectations. This is not a measured target-locality result but a projection based on the 2025 start data. Why: The 2025 housing start surge indicates a strong pipeline of future rental units. However, these units are not yet delivered, so immediate rental supply remains unchanged. National financing stability supports continued construction activity, but the impact on local rents is delayed until completions occur. Buyers: wait. Buyers should wait for more clarity on how the new multi-unit supply will affect local rental and ownership markets. Acting now may mean missing potential opportunities as the market adjusts to the new supply pipeline. Sellers: either way. Sellers have limited leverage in a flat market. Waiting may allow them to benefit from any positive sentiment generated by the construction activity, while acting now avoids uncertainty. Watch: A significant drop in new housing starts or a rise in national interest rates that slows construction activity would overturn this call. Confidence: low. Sources: [Is Shawinigan (QC) building more housing these days? - Inspurious](https://inspurious.com/story/dcf6c1cd-0bd6-4c79-a614-3c532695bea2) [Best mortgage rates Canada | Compare Canada mortgage rates | Ratehub.ca](https://www.ratehub.ca/best-mortgage-rates) ## Next 6 months, through March 2027 Prices: flat. Slight downward pressure on rental prices as early multi-unit completions begin to hit the market. Owner-occupied prices remain flat. This is not a measured target-locality result. Why: As some of the 2025 multi-unit starts begin to approach completion, early deliveries may start to influence local rental availability. However, the full impact of the 479 starts will not be felt until later. National financing conditions remain a key factor in determining whether buyers can afford to enter the market. Buyers: wait. Waiting allows buyers to observe the initial effects of new rental supply on the market. If rents stabilize or decline, it may indicate a more balanced market, providing better negotiating power for buyers. Sellers: wait. Sellers may benefit from waiting as the market adjusts to the new supply. A more balanced market could lead to more competitive pricing, allowing sellers to position their properties more effectively. Watch: A rapid increase in rental demand that outpaces the new supply, or a significant change in national financing conditions, would overturn this call. Confidence: moderate. Sources: [Is Shawinigan (QC) building more housing these days? - Inspurious](https://inspurious.com/story/dcf6c1cd-0bd6-4c79-a614-3c532695bea2) [Royal LePage Blog | Canadian Real Estate News | Canada's housing market poised for a fall rebound after a slow spring - Royal LePage Blog | Canadian Real Estate News](https://blog.royallepage.ca/canadas-housing-market-poised-for-a-fall-rebound-after-a-slow-spring/) ## Next 12 months, through September 2027 Prices: rising. Moderate downward pressure on rental prices as the full impact of the 2025 housing starts is realized. Owner-occupied prices may see slight upward movement if demand recovers. This is not a measured target-locality result. Why: By this point, a substantial portion of the 2025 multi-unit starts may be completed and delivered, significantly increasing local rental supply. This could lead to more stable or slightly lower rents, depending on demand levels. National financing conditions will continue to play a role in determining buyer affordability and market activity. Buyers: buy now. Acting now may allow buyers to take advantage of a more balanced market with increased rental supply, which could translate to more favorable terms for both renters and buyers. Waiting may mean facing a tighter market if demand rebounds. Sellers: list now. Sellers should act now to capitalize on any potential recovery in owner-occupied demand. Waiting may mean facing a more competitive market as new supply enters the rental sector, potentially shifting buyer preferences. Watch: A sustained decline in national economic activity or a significant increase in interest rates that dampens demand would overturn this call. Confidence: moderate. Sources: [Is Shawinigan (QC) building more housing these days? - Inspurious](https://inspurious.com/story/dcf6c1cd-0bd6-4c79-a614-3c532695bea2) [Housing research, finance and mortgage insurance in Canada | CMHC](https://www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/professionals) Assumptions: National financing conditions, including the Bank of Canada policy rate and bond yields, will remain relatively stable over the forecast periods; The 2025 housing starts in Shawinigan will proceed to completion without major delays or cancellations; No significant new local policies or projects will alter the housing supply pipeline beyond what is already reflected in the 2025 start data. What would reverse this: A sudden increase in interest rates or a decline in construction activity could reduce the number of completed multi-unit homes, limiting the expected increase in rental supply. Conversely, a surge in local demand for rentals could outpace the new supply, leading to higher rents despite the increased starts. Sources: [Is Shawinigan (QC) building more housing these days? - Inspurious](https://inspurious.com/story/dcf6c1cd-0bd6-4c79-a614-3c532695bea2) [Best mortgage rates Canada | Compare Canada mortgage rates | Ratehub.ca](https://www.ratehub.ca/best-mortgage-rates) [Royal LePage Blog | Canadian Real Estate News | Canada's housing market poised for a fall rebound after a slow spring - Royal LePage Blog | Canadian Real Estate News](https://blog.royallepage.ca/canadas-housing-market-poised-for-a-fall-rebound-after-a-slow-spring/) [Housing research, finance and mortgage insurance in Canada | CMHC](https://www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/professionals) ## Sources - [Is Shawinigan (QC) building more housing these days? - Inspurious](https://inspurious.com/story/dcf6c1cd-0bd6-4c79-a614-3c532695bea2): First captured 20 September 2026; publication date unavailable. Scope: City, Shawinigan, QC. - [Royal LePage Blog | Canadian Real Estate News | Canada's housing market poised for a fall rebound after a slow spring - Royal LePage Blog | Canadian Real Estate News](https://blog.royallepage.ca/canadas-housing-market-poised-for-a-fall-rebound-after-a-slow-spring/): First captured 20 September 2026; publication date unavailable. Scope: National, CA. - [Best mortgage rates Canada | Compare Canada mortgage rates | Ratehub.ca](https://www.ratehub.ca/best-mortgage-rates): First captured 20 September 2026; publication date unavailable. Scope: National, CA. - [École Dominique Savio](https://www.openstreetmap.org/way/487246798): date unavailable. Scope: city. - [école de la Petite-Rivière, école des Bâtisseurs, école des Phénix, école Dominique-Savio, école Immaculée-Conception recreation programs](https://www.shawinigan.ca/activites-et-evenements/2021/04/27/camp-de-jour-dete-inscriptions-en-ligne-des-le-13-mai-a-16-h-30/): date unavailable. Scope: city. - [Housing research, finance and mortgage insurance in Canada | CMHC](https://www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/professionals): First captured 21 September 2026; publication date unavailable. Scope: National, CA. Prepared by Aurynge with AI-assisted research and writing. See /methodology for the evidence and publication policy.