We are neither the first nor the last to say it: we are experiencing a major housing crisis in Quebec.
Posted at 3:00 p.m.
As we speak, there is a shortage of 100,000 housing units in Quebec.1 The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) even mentions that 620,000 more units should be built by 2030 to regain some affordability. It is urgent to find solutions allowing the entire population to have affordable housing that meets their needs.
What if it were possible for owners of single-family homes to add accessory dwellings to their dwelling, such as an additional dwelling in the basement, above a garage or even in the back lot? Densifying a building stock does not necessarily mean constructing new buildings: it can simply consist of making optimal use of existing infrastructures.
While many voices are raised to fight against urban sprawl, this simple measure, if it were allowed more easily by municipal authorities, could make a considerable difference in our vision of land use planning and in a difficult context. access to property, it would facilitate the repayment of mortgage loans for certain households by renting a dwelling.
Densification, yes, but still?
If we want to avoid urban sprawl, we must focus more on densification. Inspired by several international jurisdictions, many organizations are proposing various densification measures to accommodate the growth in housing demand.
In particular, we could carry out a vast reform of zoning, as suggested by Vivre en Ville, so as to automatically authorize, wherever demand is strong, three-storey buildings, or even allow the reception of a unit of accessory dwelling (UHA) or intergenerational.
Fortunately, the time has come to discuss the implementation of an effective densification strategy. Whether it’s consultations on the Metropolitan Housing Policy of the Montreal Metropolitan Community (CMM), the Municipal Housing Summit, or the action plan for the new National Policy on Architecture and land use planning (PNAAT), there will be many opportunities. Moreover, we salute the foresight of this new policy of the Government of Quebec concerning ADUs, and we are hopeful that many municipalities will follow suit and adjust their regulations to allow this addition to their existing housing stock.
A measure that could halve the housing deficit
Our cities face a major challenge: it is essential to think strategically about how to accommodate population growth by tackling both the housing crisis and the climate crisis. Pressing the accelerator of densification, where the carbon footprint is already low and where it is possible to lighten it at a lower cost, is one of the solutions that are essential.
Quebec currently has 1.8 million single-family homes. If only 2 to 3% had secondary accommodation, that would be around 50,000 units added to the housing stock! Of course, it is unrealistic to expect to close the deficit in a single year. Like Ontario, Quebec will have to devote a decade to it.
The addition of 50,000 secondary suites in 10 years is therefore very realistic, and we cannot expect all this to happen without changing the existing living environments. Of course, such transformations can pose challenges related to social acceptability. We must therefore work together with the population and ensure harmonious integration, and above all, on a human scale.