Eight Montreal projects advance under Quebec Affordable Housing Program
Quebec signalled a fresh round of investment in Montreal’s strained housing system on Saturday, saying construction on 1,650 new affordable homes could get underway within the next year across the city. The announcement centres on eight projects selected under the Quebec Affordable Housing Program and now under federal review for funding by Canada Homes.
Housing Minister Karine Boivin Roy outlined the pipeline at the Palais des congrès alongside municipal and federal representatives. Caroline Desrochers, Parliamentary Secretary to the federal Minister of Housing and Infrastructure, said three of the projects have been approved for support under the first phase of an agreement between Canada Homes and the Société d’habitation du Québec, first unveiled in April. Those three will yield 109 units, with two builds positioned to break ground immediately.
Early starts in Verdun and east-end Montreal; emergency accommodation in the West Island
Two community-led developments have been cleared to move ahead without delay, according to Boivin Roy:
- Réseau habitation femmes Montréal (Éthel project, Verdun): 20 units dedicated to people experiencing homelessness or at risk.
- Société John Howard du Québec (Notre-Dame Street East): 18 affordable units.
A third approved initiative, the Ricochet project, will create emergency accommodation in Pierrefonds. While the total unit count for Ricochet was not provided, the three approved projects together account for 109 units, forming part of the broader 1,650-home package now in the pipeline.
Major sites: former Molson brewery and Namur–Hippodrome district
Among the eight projects now under federal review are two high-profile redevelopment zones that have been the focus of planning efforts for years:
| Site | Planned homes |
|---|---|
| Former Molson factory site | 374 |
| Namur–Hippodrome district | 477 |
Both locations carry outsized significance for Montreal’s housing mix. The former Molson property, a large industrial tract with river access, has been eyed for mixed-use urban housing. The Namur–Hippodrome sector sits on one of the island’s most consequential urban infill opportunities, where civic leaders have pressed for a substantial share of affordable and family-sized units near transit. Saturday’s commitment situates these areas within a concrete delivery track, subject to federal funding review.
How the funding track is structured
The province said the eight Montreal projects are presently being examined by Canada Homes for financing. Desrochers confirmed that, under an agreement announced in April with Quebec’s housing agency, the first phase is already backing three projects in the city. In practical terms, that means proponents with approvals can line up contractors and finalize procurement, while others continue through due diligence and design work to meet federal criteria.
Officials did not provide a unit-by-unit timeline for the larger eight-project package. The minister’s framing — construction could begin “within the next year” — suggests staggered starts as approvals, permitting and tendering proceed. Two community projects are ready to launch, with emergency accommodation in Pierrefonds also advancing under the new envelope.
Local impact and what to watch next
Montreal’s vacancy rate and rent inflation have kept affordable supply at the forefront of city and provincial priorities. While 1,650 units will not resolve demand on their own, placing shovel-ready and advanced-stage projects into the pipeline is a material step for households priced out of the private market and for people at risk of homelessness. The presence of community housing groups among the early starts indicates a focus on deeply affordable and supportive options, alongside larger mixed-income plans at the Molson and Hippodrome lands.
- Near term: Expect ground-breaking for the Verdun and Notre-Dame Street East projects to proceed first, as indicated by the minister.
- Federal review: Watch for formal funding confirmations from Canada Homes on the remaining projects, including the detailed program terms attached to each build.
- Site planning: The Molson and Namur–Hippodrome projects will require ongoing coordination with the City of Montreal on zoning, infrastructure and mobility links.
Where the numbers stand
Saturday’s update places specific figures on two of the larger infill areas and provides clarity on the first three projects under the federal–provincial agreement. Known counts include:
| Project | Units | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Éthel project (Verdun) — Réseau habitation femmes Montréal | 20 | Construction can begin immediately |
| Notre-Dame Street East — Société John Howard du Québec | 18 | Construction can begin immediately |
| Ricochet (Pierrefonds) — Emergency accommodation | Not specified | Approved under first-phase funding |
| Former Molson factory site | 374 | Under federal review |
| Namur–Hippodrome district | 477 | Under federal review |
The government has not released an address list for all eight projects or the full bundle’s delivery schedule. Further announcements are expected as funding agreements are finalized and builders secure permits.
For Montrealers tracking affordable options, the early-start projects indicate immediate work on supportive housing in Verdun and new affordable units in the city’s east end, with emergency accommodation planned for the West Island. Larger-scale neighbourhood builds at the former Molson site and Namur–Hippodrome would follow as federal reviews are completed.
