Summary#
Montréal city council adopted a position supporting an addendum to the existing agreement between the City and the Société d’habitation et de développement de Montréal (SHDM). The agreement provides up to $3.3 million for starting and pre-developing housing projects; the addendum would change which costs and properties can qualify, without increasing that maximum, according to city staff. The stated goal is to give SHDM more flexibility in using the contribution to support non-market housing.
- The council approved the draft addendum as the City’s position for the agglomeration council. The agglomeration council makes the final decision at a later meeting.
- The addendum would make eligible some costs incurred in 2024, revise the list of eligible project activities and add properties to the agreement’s list of eligible sites.
- The existing agreement supports about 15 SHDM projects, most on municipal land. The materials do not name the properties being added.
What it means for you#
- SHDM: If the addendum receives final approval, it could use the existing contribution for qualifying 2024 costs and projects at the added properties. The supplied materials do not set out the revised cost list or name those properties.
- City taxpayers: The addendum does not increase the agreement’s $3.3 million maximum, according to city staff.
- Residents: The decision does not itself create a new housing program or guarantee that particular homes will be built.
Money#
City staff say the addendum has no financial impact on the file.
- The existing contribution is capped at $3,300,000: $900,000 for 2025, $1,200,000 for 2026 and $1,200,000 for 2027. The scheduled payment deadlines are June 30, 2026, June 30, 2027 and June 30, 2028, respectively.
- Staff say allowing eligible costs from 2024 would help make the full 2025 amount payable. No separate cost estimate for the addendum is provided.
What is unclear#
- The supplied materials do not give the revised list of eligible costs or identify the properties being added.
- They do not explain how the City will check that costs and projects meet the amended agreement.
Case for#
- City staff say the original timing rule left SHDM little room to plan first-year spending. Allowing eligible 2024 costs could make it easier to use the 2025 amount.
- Adding properties and clarifying eligible activities could give SHDM more flexibility to pursue projects intended to create or maintain non-market housing.
Case against#
- The materials do not identify the added properties or spell out the revised eligible-cost rules, so the scope of the expanded eligibility is hard to assess.
- The addendum would broaden what can qualify for the existing contribution. The materials do not describe any added oversight or explain how the City will verify eligible spending.