1 in 5 Montreal households struggling to pay housing, basic needs: data
Posted May 15, 2023 1:44 pm.
New data is indicating one in every five households doesn’t have enough income to pay for their essential needs in Montreal.
The data comes from Centraide of Greater Montreal, which indicates nearly 360,000 households are struggling to pay for housing, food, or transportation.
According to Centraide, the data is based on residual income — the remaining money households have after paying rent and essential needs.
The data also indicates all those households are starting in the red for residual income and there’s a combined estimated annual deficit of $3.6 billion each year.
“This situational portrait shows that housing is not just about the number of doors we have to build but about the people who are impacted and the communities that are deteriorating. This major crisis is exacting a significant social toll,” explained Claude Pinard, president and executive director of Centraide of Greater Montreal in a statement.
“The cost of housing exerts great pressure on households, especially those with low incomes. We must act together to build a supportive and inclusive society that leaves no one behind or denies people’s right to adequate and affordable housing.”
Centraide adds those struggling with housing costs may develop other issues, such as around social, child development, mental health, food security, domestic violence, and homelessness.
