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The housing crisis in Quebec has become a persistent and structural issue, further aggravated by the severe lack of non-profit housing, which represents only 8 to 10% of the rental market — far below the 20% share that would be required to meet the population’s needs.
Access to affordable housing must no longer remain an abstract concept, but be recognized and enforced as a fundamental right, supported by a robust non-profit housing sector and ambitious, coherent public policies that work together to deliver lasting solutions.
Consult ACHAT’s position paper outlining its vision and concrete proposals for a transformative overhaul of the housing sector.
An ambitious yet realistic target
Achieving and sustaining a minimum of 20% non-profit housing within Quebec’s rental market would help curb the harmful effects of real estate speculation and secure a supply of affordable housing for future generations.
To reach this 20% target, ACHAT has identified four pillars that constitute the foundation for a renewed, innovative and sustainable affordable housing model. These pillars allow us to become the architects of an affordable Quebec for all, without exceptions.
Given the scale of the challenge, it is essential to act on two complementary fronts: building new affordable housing and removing existing units from the speculative market.
The key is to join forces to create innovative and sustainable solutions that address the growing housing needs while making the best use of available resources.
While governments have a key role to play in housing, front line social economy stakeholders also share a joint responsibility to create change. The sector is already shifting—the members of ACHAT are the perfect examples—but further efforts are needed. Accordingly, ACHAT has put forward a set of crosscutting recommendations for all three levels of government to ensure that every piece of public policy that could help to increase the market share of NPO housing is coherent and complementary.
For more information, ACHAT submitted a report(french only) of its positions and recommendations on public housing policy and social entrepreneurship in January 2025.
“The costs of inaction are significant. In the face of these challenges, it is imperative to act. Expanding non-profit housing is an economically viable, socially responsible solution — and essential to ensuring a more inclusive and sustainable future.”
– Sébastien Parent-Durand, Managing Director ACHAT