Despite Quebec having the fewest housing starts in Canada last year, the number of residential units built in the last decade still surpassed growth of households. But empty units are still out of reach for many due to skyrocketing rents. The housing crisis is not rooted in a supply-and-demand issue as commonly framed by government officials, according to a new report by housing groups.last year, the number of residential units built in the last decade still surpassed growth of households.
"It's completely utopic to think that the rental market will simply balance itself out if we build more," he said. "We have to ensure that there is housing for low-income people and that's the responsibility of the state, a responsibility it's been skirting for years and we see the consequences on the rest of the housing market," he said.He pointed to the federal government transferring the responsibility of managing social housing to provinces in the '90s and Quebec ending its social housing program in favour of an affordable housing program.
He says the industry needs more predictability as the costs of materials labour keep climbing, discouraging developers from building affordable housing.What's being built reflects market demand and what is profitable, said Houle, and "if the people want more Airbnbs, we'll build more Airbnbs."