Securing an affordable place to live in Montreal has become increasingly challenging with each passing year. Despite the emergence of new construction projects in various parts of the city, the majority of homes and apartments remain financially out of reach for many residents.
As the upcoming mayoral election on Nov. 2 approaches, advocates for affordable housing are emphasizing the urgent need for concrete measures to ensure the city remains accessible to all its inhabitants.
Expressing frustration at the current situation, a Montreal resident remarked, “It’s absurd, especially considering the location. Paying over $1,000 a month for a tiny apartment is just not sustainable.”
Shannon Frassen, the interim co-ordinator of the Regroupement des comités logement et associations de locataires du Québec (RCLALQ), highlighted the alarming spike in rental prices. She stated, “Over the past five years, average rents in Montreal have surged by approximately 70 percent. What used to cost $1,000 per month is now closer to $1,800 per month.”
Catherine Lussier, a community organizer with the housing advocacy group FRAPRU, pointed out that while certain areas like Ville-Marie have a vacancy rate of 5.3 percent, the available units are far from affordable. She noted, “Despite the seemingly adequate vacancy rates, the reality is that there is a severe lack of truly affordable housing options in Montreal. We are currently undergoing an affordability crisis.”
Amidst rising rents and limited availability, community organizations are urging all levels of government to take decisive action. Frassen emphasized, “It is disheartening to hear some municipal election candidates downplay the significance of housing as a municipal issue. The responsibility lies with all levels of government, and there is much that can be done.”
The topic of housing has taken center stage in the election campaign, with each political party proposing their strategies to address the crisis. Frassen expressed concerns about the existing imbalance in landlord and tenant rights, stating, “Current municipal regulations tend to favor landlords, neglecting the essential protection of tenants’ rights.”
Many long-time residents are witnessing the transformation of the city they once knew, with affordable housing becoming increasingly scarce. Reflecting on the changes, one resident shared, “Years ago, you could work one job, pay your rent, and still have money left. But now, Montreal is mirroring Toronto. In Toronto, it takes two jobs just to afford rent.”
Another resident voiced concerns about future generations, saying, “Our generation was fortunate, but I worry about what the future holds for my grandkids.”
