Montreal has announced a new $2-million housing fund to support four non-profit groups in expanding affordable housing, with the goal of creating 6,300 below-market units in the next 10 years.
One of the beneficiaries, the Old Mission Brewery, says the funding will nearly double the number of apartments it can offer unhoused residents. The shelter will receive $400,000, allowing it to add 237 units by 2028.
“Some have already been bought and are under renovation, and some are in construction,” said Jean-François Degenais, who oversees the Brewery’s rehousing program. “This is really going to help us grow, to increase our delivery capacity, and the quality of our organization as a pillar in the response to this crisis.”
The funding follows a call for projects issued in June. On Monday, the city announced that four organizations would share the $2 million:
Gérer son quartier, receiving $500,000 to double its portfolio from 1,000 to 2,000 units within two years.
Interloge Centre-Sud, receiving $600,000.
Corporation Mainbourg, allocated $500,000.
Old Mission Brewery, with $400,000 to add 237 units.
Luc Rabouin, Plateau-Mont-Royal borough mayor and candidate for mayor in the upcoming November election, said the initiative reflects the city’s goal of making affordable housing 20 per cent of its stock by 2050. Currently, about seven per cent of Montreal’s housing is affordable, including co-ops and social housing.
“The $2 million won’t go directly toward building housing,” Rabouin explained. “Rather, it will help the capacity of the four non-profits to develop and manage more units. We’ve mainly been inspired by what’s being done in Vienna, for example, in Europe.”
In Vienna, about half the population lives in municipally managed or subsidized housing — a model Rabouin hopes Montreal can begin to emulate. If re-elected, he says he plans to increase the funding envelope to $5 million next year.
Michel Taylor, president of the board of Gérer son quartier, emphasized the urgency: “It’s a necessity, and we can see that with what’s happening right now. People are ending up on the street, people are no longer able to pay rent.”
