City to get 263 new affordable housing units

Ottawa and Quebec are trying to make up for the delay in building affordable housing in Montreal, and promise to do the same elsewhere.

The three levels of government announced on Thursday $56.8 million of spending for 12 projects, with a total of 263 new affordable housing units.

“There are dire needs. We've seen them, we live them,” said the federal government's Quebec lieutenant, Pablo Rodriguez. “With this money, the city can build new homes, buy new land, and renovate homes.”

The money comes from the federal Rapid Housing Initiative envelope. The minister responsible for the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, Ahmed Hussen, said the homes are expected to be delivered by spring 2022.

Quebec put aside $23 million for 20 years of rent subsidies for future renters of some of these projects so they won't have to pay more than 25 per cent of their revenue in rent.

“Yes, there was a delay in the past, I admit,” said Quebec housing minister Andrée Laforest. “We're trying to make up past delays, but I believe we'll get there.”

Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante said there's a lot more work to do.

“It won't fix everything, and I think we're all aware of that.”

Rodriguez said the program envelope wasn't reserved for Montreal, and said announcements for projects across Quebec will be made soon.

Most cities in Quebec have vacancy rates below three per cent, which is considered a balance between supply and demand. Quebec City (2.4 per cent) and Trois-rivières (2.3 per cent) are below that threshold, while some smaller towns like St-hyacinthe (0.4 per cent) are critical.