The City of Montreal is investing $540,000 to speed up the renovation of 45 vacant housing units owned by the Société d’habitation et de développement de Montréal (SHDM), with the goal of housing people experiencing homelessness or at risk of becoming homeless.
Announced just days before Quebec’s annual July 1 moving day, the funding comes as Montreal continues to grapple with a housing shortage and rising homelessness.
The investment will provide up to $12,000 per unit for repairs tailored to each apartment’s needs. Renovations will include painting, flooring, kitchen and bathroom upgrades, electrical and plumbing work, repairs to doors and windows, and cleaning to prepare the units for occupancy.
“Just days before July 1, many Montrealers are anxious because they are searching for affordable housing,” said Soraya Martinez Ferrada, Mayor of Montreal. With this $540,000 investment, our administration is giving the SHDM the resources it needs to accelerate the renovation of 45 vacant housing units and make them available by the end of August. For some people, this will help prevent homelessness. For others, it will provide a path out of homelessness. In the midst of this housing crisis, we want homes to be occupied—not sitting vacant. We want them to be affordable and suited to the needs of Montrealers. This is exactly the kind of concrete action our administration will continue to multiply.”
The first renovated apartments are expected to be available by the end of August 2026.
The housing will be managed by non-profit organizations that partner with the SHDM. In addition to overseeing leasing and maintenance, the organizations will provide tenants with support services aimed at helping them achieve long-term housing stability.
“Every housing unit brought back into service represents a real opportunity to improve someone’s life,” said Caroline Braun, Executive Committee Member Responsible for Housing and Urban Planning. “Working in partnership with the SHDM and community organizations, we are accelerating the rehabilitation of 45 housing units to quickly provide safe, dignified housing for people experiencing homelessness or at risk of becoming homeless. This initiative reflects our commitment to responding to a very real crisis with speed, pragmatism, and solidarity.”
The 45 renovated units will add to the SHDM’s portfolio of approximately 700 housing units designated for vulnerable residents.
