Global Scans · Homes · Weekly Summary

WHAT'S NEXT?: The number of smart homes is expected to grow further and by 2020 it is expected 46.2 million homes in the US and 44.9 million in Europe will be classed as smart homes. By 2022 there could be nearly 500 smart devices that can be connected to a smart home.

• [New] Monthly housing payments will fall to 29.3% of median income in 2026 - the first time below the critical 30% affordability threshold since 2022. Passle
• [New] The CMHC has warned that Canada needs to build 3.5 million more homes than it's on pace to build in order to restore affordability by 2030. BNN Bloomberg
• [New] New home construction will decline through 2028 as developers face high costs, weaker demand and more unsold homes. BNN Bloomberg
• [New] By 2026, AI and PropTech will transform home buying into a seamless, intuitive, and data-driven experience. PropertyStellar: Where Your Home Dreams Align with Star
• [New] By 2026, smart home technology will become standard. PropertyStellar: Where Your Home Dreams Align with Star
• [New] Prices and sales in Halifax are projected to rise slightly in 2026 and then stabilize as most new homes remain unaffordable for first-time buyers. Mortgage Professional
• [New] After record apartment construction, housing starts in Halifax are expected to stabilize in 2026, with purpose-built rental starts easing slightly as earlier projects improve supply. Mortgage Professional
• [New] Slower population growth, driven by the federal government's cap on international student admissions and Quebec's reduced immigration targets, is expected to be the main factor moderating the increase in housing demand. Mortgage Professional
• [New] There was a deal struck to build on federal lands in Toronto, which will see 540 homes built; 40% will be affordable. SenCanada
• [New] Canada is facing a steep housing supply gap, one that threatens affordability, opportunity and the ability for Canadians to build a life and future here at home. SenCanada
• [New] Health tech in smart homes will go well beyond wearables in 2026, adding deeper insight into the environment and well-being. Feb Grow
• [New] In 2026, Wi-Fi 7 and improvements in mesh networking will make smart home systems more responsive and more stable than ever. Feb Grow
• [New] Smart homes in 2026 will include systems that not only automate lights and temperature - but also optimize usage intelligently. Feb Grow
• [New] Voice assistants have already changed how we interact with smart homes, but the assistants of 2026 will be smarter, more context-aware, and more conversational. Feb Grow
• [New] Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation projected real GDP growth of just 0.7% in 2026, one of the weakest non-recession years in recent decades, as trade tensions, slower population growth and softer labour markets weigh on demand. Mortgage Professional
• [New] Some Massachusetts households could face higher bills as a water infrastructure authority looks to advance plans to cut untreated sewage flows into the Charles River, Mystic River and Alewife Brook. Wbur
• [New] The corporate and individual tax breaks in OB3 altogether will provide an average annual federal tax reduction of $84,800 to the top 1% of Massachusetts households. Mass. Budget and Policy Center
• [New] In the Balanced Pathway, average household energy bills in 2040 would be 15 times less sensitive to a spike in gas prices like the one we had in 2022 than the no further action baseline. Electricity Info
• [New] There's a political battle unfolding in Scotland over a new charge critics are calling a nuclear tax - a levy that could leave Scottish households paying for nuclear construction projects hundreds of miles away. no2nuclearpower
• [New] As a first step, in 2026 Octopus will supply Voltus with aggregations of residential consumer devices - including smart thermostats, EVs, and home batteries, in PJM, MISO, New York, and California. POWER Magazine
• [New] Social purpose using housing as a core vehicle can be seen in 2023-34 via Places for People, managing 245,000 homes and delivering 1,750 new homes they have this year generated £334m in social value. Housing Studies Association
• [New] Low-carbon concrete is a viable option to meet the world's demand for urban housing by 2050, whilst also delivering CO2 emissions reductions of up to 14.3 Gt CO2 (eq.) relative to a Concrete-BAU reference scenario over the period 2025-2050. Nature
• [New] To meet urban housing needs, low-carbon concrete is not perfect but is the lowest-carbon option that can be scaled - up to meet global demand by 2050. Nature

Last updated: 14 February 2026