Existing affordable housing crumbles while governments invest in new
Social housing residents endure severe disrepair—mould, mice, fire hazards—while billions flow toward new construction.
Mercedes Rodriguez and her seven children struggle to sleep in their Montreal apartment because of mice scurrying in the walls. Their social housing building in Hochelaga-Maisonneuve is plagued by mould. Her clothes dryer once caught fire due to poor ventilation.
As federal and provincial governments pour billions into new affordable housing projects, existing units sit crumbling with unmet maintenance needs. Residents like Rodriguez are left waiting for renovations that were promised years ago—meanwhile living with dangerous conditions.
The gap reveals a critical failure: new-unit investment without fixing the stock already occupied by those who can least afford to move. Rodriguez's frustration speaks for thousands of social housing tenants across the country whose homes are deteriorating while the political focus remains on future builds rather than present disrepair.