The housing crisis has left people unable to find a place to live

The NDP is delivering help to families to find a home in their community

MONTREAL — At a press conference in Montreal today, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh and his Deputy Leader Alexandre Boulerice criticized Justin Trudeau's Liberals for not doing enough to address the housing crisis, while Quebec families are struggling with the skyrocketing cost of living. The NDP is using its power to get results that the Liberals have not delivered — more affordable housing and changes to housing rules so that Montrealers can save hundreds of dollars a month in rent reductions.

"Across Quebec, families are struggling to find housing they can afford, and the situation has only gotten worse since the pandemic," said Singh. "We're getting calls from families who can't take it anymore, who don't know where to go to find an affordable place to live. In the face of a hard-hitting crisis, the Liberals are dragging their feet. New Democrats have used our power to help you and your family, and make your bills cheaper. By doubling the construction of affordable housing and reducing rent for this housing in Montreal by $1,500 a month, we are putting money back into the pockets of Montrealers to help you make ends meet."

Thanks to New Democrats, the budget contains important measures to help Quebecers with housing.

• A reform of the Rental Construction Financing Initiative, providing funds for the construction of affordable rental housing. This reform will increase the percentage of units per building from 20% to 40%. In Montreal, under the previous rules, 20% of the units in a project had to be less than $2,225 per month. Now, the same project would have to have at least 40% of the units below $730 per month. Doubling the amount of housing, and saving people $1,500 a month.
• Nearly one million people will receive $500 to help them pay their rent, about 220,000 Quebec families in need will receive this help.
• The Rapid Housing Initiative will be extended by 1 year — this initiative has created 250 affordable housing units in the first phases in Montreal.
• Investments in a new Housing Acceleration Fund with the goal of building 100,000 new housing units.

"When we have a Prime Minister who believes that $2,225 per month in rent in Montreal is affordable, it's clear he doesn't understand the reality of Quebecers," said Boulerice. New Democrats have succeeded in lowering what is considered affordable in Montreal to $730. That's $1,500 less per month for Quebecers! That's the difference between Liberals and New Democrats. And we're not going to stop fighting to do more to help Montrealers find an affordable place to live."

New Democrats have started delivering the goods to Quebec families to help find an affordable place to live, but they're not done. Jagmeet, Alexandre and the entire NDP caucus will continue to fight to make life better and more affordable for Quebecers.