Montreal’s municipal government has approved the construction of 1,650 affordable housing units, a move aimed at easing the city’s long‑standing shortage of low‑cost homes. The new developments will be built on the former Molson brewery site and within the Namur‑Hippodrome neighbourhood.
The former Molson brewery property will be transformed from its industrial past into a residential complex that will house families and individuals qualifying for affordable rent. In parallel, the Namur‑Hippodrome area will see the erection of new apartment blocks designed to meet the same income‑based criteria.
City planners have highlighted a widening gap between rental prices and household earnings across Montreal, prompting a series of recent initiatives to expand the supply of affordable dwellings. The 1,650 units add to a slate of projects announced in recent months, each intended to increase the overall stock of housing that remains within reach for moderate‑ and low‑income residents.
Officials note that the upcoming construction is meant to complement existing social‑housing programs and to provide additional options for people who are being priced out of the private rental market. While exact completion dates have yet to be set, work is expected to commence later in the year.
The new units form part of a multi‑phase housing strategy that targets several neighborhoods across the city, with the goal of gradually reducing the deficit of affordable accommodation. By adding more than a thousand new homes, the municipality aims to make a measurable dent in the overall shortage.
Overall, the plan reflects Montreal’s broader effort to address rising rents and limited housing supply, reinforcing the city’s commitment to ensuring that affordable options remain available for its residents.