Summary:
- Winnipeg’s housing market is smashing records. A new City report shows permits were issued for more than 6,200 new homes last year, easily beating the five-year average.
- The real story is happening downtown, where development is nearly triple the annual target, with a record 1,040 new units getting building permits.
- 62% of all new housing permits were for locations in infill areas, and permits for housing next to transit service hit a record high.
- Mayor Scott Gillingham says the surge proves the city is growing smarter by building more homes near transit and in established neighbourhoods.
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A new City report says Winnipeg is beating its targets for new housing, and most of that growth is happening downtown, in infill neighbourhoods, and close to transit.
The City issued permits for 6,291 new homes in 2025, well above the five-year average of 5,343.
The 2026 Land Monitoring Report also says Winnipeg continues to exceed its infill housing target. 62% of all new residential permits were in infill areas, blowing past the City’s target of 50%.
Downtown saw one of the strongest results in the report. The City issued permits for 1,040 new downtown homes in 2025, nearly three times the annual target of 350, and the highest amount on record.
“Winnipeg is growing, and this report shows we’re doing it in a smarter way,” said Mayor Scott Gillingham. “More homes are being built downtown, in established neighbourhoods, and close to transit. That means more housing choice for residents, better use of existing infrastructure, and more jobs and investment in our city.”
The report also shows record amounts of housing is being built near transit. In 2025, permits were issued for 4,362 new homes within 400 metres of the Primary Transit Network, including 1,119 homes within 400 metres of a rapid transit station.
“This shows the value of aligning housing, transit, infrastructure, and land-use planning,” said Councillor Evan Duncan, Chair of the Standing Policy Committee on Property and Development. “Winnipeg is seeing strong residential growth in areas where it makes sense: close to services, close to transit, and in communities where existing infrastructure can be used more efficiently. That is good planning and good city-building.”
The report says multi-family housing continues to drive much of Winnipeg’s infill growth. In 2025, only 20% of new dwelling units were single-detached homes, reflecting continued growth in apartments and other higher-density housing forms.
Across the city, approximately 19,500 units are in the broader infill development pipeline, based on development applications that have been approved to date. This includes 2,300 additional units in the downtown, led by major projects like Railside at The Forks, Market Lands, Portage Place, the Marlborough Hotel, and the St. Charles Hotel.
On the non-residential side, the City issued permits for 1.3 million square feet of new floor area in 2025, consistent with the five-year annual average of 1.4 million square feet.
The report also notes lower industrial land development in recent years, pointing to the ongoing need for more shovel-ready industrial land in Winnipeg. Gillingham said that reinforces the importance of extending servicing into CentrePort South, a project he has championed as both Councillor and Mayor.
“CentrePort South is going to be huge for Winnipeg,” said Gillingham. “The servicing work is nearing completion, the Winnipeg Airports Authority has already announced plans to develop its airside lands, and we expect applications for other major developments in the area this year. We are unlocking investment, creating jobs, and supporting the growth of Winnipeg’s Sky Economy.”
The findings are included in the 2026 Complete Communities Land Monitoring Report, which will be considered at today's meeting of the Standing Policy Committee on Property and Development.