Calls for Quebec government to address housing crisis

Housing advocates, mayors from across Quebec, and various other groups have jointly signed an open letter to the premier, calling on the Legault government to address the province’s housing crisis.

The letter, which was presented during a press conference Wednesday, is asking the CAQ government to create a provincial approach to overcome the crisis.

The signatories are aiming to collaborate with the Quebec government to find solutions that will increase more housing across the province. This also includes reviewing projects that hinder the progress of new developments, with the goal of improving supply challenges and establishing a long-term vision to help solve the crisis.

The province is headed towards its sharpest decline in housing in almost 30 years, according to the Association des professionnels de la construction et de l’habitation du Québec (APCHQ). The association is anticipating 40,000 housing units beginning in 2023 – a 30 per cent decline from last year.

In addition, the province is facing its lowest vacancy rate in more than 20 years according to Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC). To regain balance, the APCHQ says 100,000 housing units must be delivered in the short term in Quebec, and 620,000 by 2030, according to CMHC.

The housing shortage is the driving force behind soaring rent prices and difficulties in getting into the housing market, according to the group, stating that the only sustainable way to improve this issue is by developing more houses.

The open letter has attracted over 30 signatures from prominent groups and individuals including the mayors of Quebec City, Laval, and Montreal’s southwest borough mayor Benoit Dorais, among many others.