Summary#
Montréal city council adopted its position on a proposed purchase, not a new law. It supports buying a vacant 1,535.1 m² site east of rue Chatham and north of rue William, in the Sud-Ouest borough, from Investissements 1919 William inc. for social housing. The stated goal is to enable social housing on the site.
- The proposed price is $9,293,113, plus applicable taxes.
- The city’s approval of the deed would depend on written confirmation that it matches the draft in all important respects and that decontamination and backfilling are complete to the city’s satisfaction.
- City staff say the site could hold 9,476 m² of residential floor area for social housing. Their estimate of about 105 homes is indicative; the eventual number depends on the selected organization and project.
- The city plans to resell the site to a housing non-profit or co-op, to be chosen later.
- This is an item for the agglomeration council, which makes the final decision at a later meeting.
What it means for you#
- People seeking social housing: The purchase is intended to make a site available for social housing, but this decision does not set who can apply, how homes will be allocated, or when they will be built.
- The seller: Investissements 1919 William inc. would receive the purchase price if the acquisition proceeds and the deed’s conditions are met.
- Future housing organization: A non-profit or co-op would be selected later to receive the site through resale. The decision does not identify the organization or set the resale terms.
- General public: The proposed purchase would not itself create homes or change housing eligibility rules.
Money#
The proposed purchase costs $9,293,113, plus applicable taxes; the agglomeration would pay the full acquisition expense.
- The city plans to use an existing $65-million borrowing bylaw to finance the purchase.
- City staff estimate site security and upkeep at $10,799.02 net of tax rebates in 2026, then $4,619.45 net of tax rebates in each subsequent year. Their 2026–2028 total estimate is $20,037.92 net of tax rebates.
- Staff say the property is intended for resale, so the city does not need to set aside money for taxes.
What is unclear#
- The future housing organization, resale price and terms, construction schedule, and actual number of homes are not specified.
- The acquisition depends on written confirmation that cleanup and backfilling are complete and satisfactory; the materials do not give a completion date.
Case for#
- A possible argument for the purchase is that it gives the city control of a site intended for social housing, which it can later resell to a housing organization.
- City staff say the site’s estimated social-housing capacity exceeds the current requirement tied to two nearby residential projects. Under the agreements, the excess could reduce those promoters’ family-housing commitments.
Case against#
- City staff say the purchase price does not match the estimated fair market value. The materials do not state the amount of that estimate or whether it is higher or lower than the purchase price.
- The city would take on security and upkeep costs before resale, while the future buyer, resale terms, and construction plans remain undecided.