With the provincial elections looming on the horizon, the main political parties must make their positions known on housing and housing issues without delay. The major players in the municipal sector explain to us why it is urgent to act in the current socio-economic context.
The rise in rental market prices, the shortage of decent housing and real estate escalation, in particular, are deepening social inequalities and affecting all Quebecers, whether they live in major urban centers or in the regions. However, access to decent housing at an affordable price is inseparable from quality of life, because it promotes social cohesion in Québec by allowing citizens to integrate into their community and contribute to it.
In this regard, the Union of Quebec Municipalities (UMQ) is mobilizing to put the housing issue on the agenda of decision-makers so that they switch to solution and resolution mode. Its Municipal Declaration on Housing maintains, among other things, that municipalities cannot act alone to offer quality housing to all citizens and that they must also be better equipped to face current challenges, in particular by expanding of the right of pre-emption and the modernization of the law on expropriation.
Remember that the UMQ represents more than 85% of the population and territory of Quebec and 95% of the municipal budgets, which makes it a leading interlocutor for government authorities. The message from its members is unanimous: programs must be simplified to adapt as much as possible to the reality on the ground, and it is imperative to ensure the long-term funding of housing programs. As stated in the Declaration, “it is urgent that the Government of Quebec adopt a long-term vision for housing and implement several strategic actions in this area, in synergy with the Government Action Plan in Housing and the National Architecture and Regional Planning Policy”.
The UMQ also emphasizes that sustainable development in a context of ecological transition is an integral part of the solution. Thus, all the actions taken by the government in the area of housing must not only contribute to creating decent living environments, but also promote densification by taking into account local specificities, active transportation, public transit, community development and the protection of natural and agricultural environments.
Analysis of the situation with the mayors of four municipalities.
The scarcity of affordable rental housing For years, in large urban centers and throughout the province, the rental supply has been declining and affordable housing is increasingly rare. The vacancy rate for apartments was barely 2.5% across Quebec in 2021, with even more telling statistics in certain regions, where the rate was below 1%. A situation that forces the most vulnerable people to live in apartments that are inadequate or do not suit their budget. Not to mention the households that have to move away from their community to find housing. Another problem that arises when tenants are at a disadvantage in relation to supply is discrimination, which affects people from diverse backgrounds, immigrants, large families and the unemployed.
Difficulty finding housing for vulnerable people
The surge in the real estate market is prompting some landlords to evict tenants to carry out major renovations for a quick resale or a significant rent increase. However, when the work cannot be justified by a substantial expansion, a new subdivision or a change of assignment, it is illegal to evict a tenant permanently. Some landlords, well aware of the regulations, show bad faith or exert pressure on uninformed tenants, who find themselves on the street and struggle to find housing that suits their needs, lifestyle and budget. A situation that entails significant social costs, and which particularly affects people with low incomes, the elderly, families with young children and single-parent families.
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