An analysis of electricity consumption data released on June 19, 2026 identified roughly 25,000 residential units in Montreal that show no regular power use, indicating they are vacant. The finding, reported by Radio-Canada and based on figures supplied by Hydro-Québec, has sparked a public debate between landlords and housing advocates over why so many apartments remain empty.
Hydro-Québec’s electricity usage records were examined to detect households with consistently low or zero consumption over an extended period. By cross‑referencing this information with address data, researchers estimated the number of dwellings that appear unoccupied. The methodology allows for a city‑wide snapshot of vacancy without relying on rental listings or municipal permits.
Landlords have responded by offering their own interpretation of the data, suggesting that the vacancies may stem from factors such as ongoing renovations, temporary relocation of tenants, or strategic holding of units for future market conditions. They emphasize that the raw electricity figures do not capture the full range of legitimate reasons a property might temporarily lack power.
Housing advocates, on the other hand, argue that the empty units reflect deeper systemic issues, including speculative ownership, delayed maintenance, or owners withholding apartments in anticipation of higher rents. They contend that the scale of vacancy underscores inefficiencies in the rental market and exacerbates the shortage of affordable housing.
The report arrives as Montreal continues to grapple with a housing crisis marked by limited supply and rising rents. While the city’s authorities have not yet disclosed a formal response, the identification of 25,000 vacant homes adds a new dimension to ongoing discussions about how to increase the availability of livable units and address affordability concerns.
Both sides acknowledge the need for further data to clarify the causes of vacancy, and officials from Hydro-Québec and Radio-Canada indicated that additional analyses could be pursued to monitor trends over time.