The city of Montreal is facing a significant challenge in 2023: delivering on its promise to provide social and affordable housing. This is a relatively new area for the city, and it is one of the biggest challenges for the Plante administration. During the campaign, Mayor Valérie Plante promised to create 60,000 affordable housing units over ten years, and to get there, the city will adopt a bylaw similar to one that was passed last year regarding its right of first refusal on properties going up for sale.
The administration has already fulfilled its commitment on affordable housing, but it has only put together the financing for 3,639 units. Mayor Plante blames Quebec for neglecting social housing, and she has called on the province to do more to help the city meet its housing needs.
The need for affordable housing is not unique to Montreal. President Biden’s FY 2023 Budget Advances Equity, and it makes historic investments to support underserved communities and combat racial disparities across the Nation, including in health, education, and economic opportunity.
At the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the Budget supports 2,000 units of new permanently affordable housing specifically for seniors and people with disabilities, supporting the Administration’s priority to maximize independent living for people with disabilities.
To address the critical shortage of affordable housing in communities throughout the Nation, the Budget proposes $50 billion in mandatory funding and additional Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC) to increase housing supply and help to stabilize housing prices over the long term.
Morover, Montreal aims to boost affordable housing as rental market tightens. Mayor Valérie Plante’s new housing bylaw will force developers to build social and affordable housing, or contribute to a fund that will.
Holness, the leader of Movement Montreal, accused Valérie Plante’s administration of dragging its heels when it comes to action on housing. The need for social and affordable housing is a pressing issue, and it is one that requires a comprehensive solution.
The Plante administration has taken steps to address the issue, but more needs to be done. The city must work with the province and the federal government to secure funding and support for social and affordable housing initiatives.
In conclusion, the need for social and affordable housing is a significant challenge for the Plante administration in 2023. The city must work to fulfill its promise to provide affordable housing to its residents, and it must do so in a way that is sustainable and equitable.
The city must work with the province and the federal government to secure funding and support for social and affordable housing initiatives. The need for affordable housing is not unique to Montreal, and it is a challenge that requires a comprehensive solution.
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