Social and affordable housing | A step in the right direction in housing

Recent announcements related to social and affordable housing should be classified as good news.

Last Monday, the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, Andrée Laforest, announced an investment of more than $ 2 billion over 6 years to renovate low-rental housing (HLM) in poor condition, and another amount of 279 million intended for the construction of around 3,000 social housing units.

Last Thursday, it was the turn of the Minister of Finance, Eric Girard, to unveil an amount of 304 million, of which 200 million will be devoted to a new national program that will allow the rapid construction of affordable housing, in collaboration with the private and the community. Minister Laforest is due to unveil the details in the coming weeks.

These are positive advances that will make it possible to catch up on social and affordable housing in Quebec.

Is it sufficient ? Unfortunately not.

For the Montreal region alone, popular groups estimate the needs of around 50,000 social housing units. Projet Montréal has promised 8,000 in four years.

It is a real shock that is necessary to make up for lost time.

The housing crisis is very real. Combined with inflation and the lack of rental space, it creates a dramatic situation for the less well-off who spend too much of their budget on housing. Several of these families live in unacceptable conditions. However, clean and well-maintained housing is not a luxury, it is an essential need to which everyone is entitled.

We are therefore delighted with these announcements, which are a step in the right direction, a signal that the echoes of the crisis have been heard in Quebec, which recognizes the problem. These efforts will have to be continued over the next few years.

The other good news, at least for Montreal, is the appointment of Benoit Dorais, who, in addition to being vice-president of the executive committee of the City of Montreal, will be responsible for housing and the real estate strategy within the Plante administration.

In addition to having headed the executive committee in the previous mandate, Mr. Dorais has a detailed knowledge of the file, which should not be overlooked given the complexity of the issues and the urgency to act.

Projet Montréal had promised the creation of a responsible landlord certification, in which a rent register would be integrated. A consultation process should be announced soon, Valérie Plante having made a promise for her first 100 days in power. This certification will provide a more precise idea of ​​the state of Montreal’s rental stock.

There too, there is urgency. The series of reports by our colleagues Katia Gagnon and Hugo Joncas last week clearly illustrated the great vulnerability of tenants to abusive landlords.

Several journalistic surveys carried out in recent months have also shown how private developers manage to evade the obligation to build social housing. Or how affordable rents had been acquired by very well-heeled buyers.

In short, there is a great deal of cleaning to be done in this sector.

During the election campaign, the mayor of Longueuil, Catherine Fournier, and the mayor of Laval, Stéphane Boyer, pledged to hold a housing summit. It should take place in the spring. This idea is entirely relevant, as long as Montreal participates in it.

Housing must absolutely be approached with a metropolitan vision. By joining forces, the three cities will be able to develop a common vision and speak with one voice to demand more funds from Quebec. An approach that they will benefit from adopting in several cases.

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