Soraya Martinez Ferrada Proposes Easier Intergenerational Housing to Keep Families in Montreal

Soraya Martinez Ferrada, Ensemble Montréal leader and mayoral candidate, announced a series of measures aimed at making intergenerational housing more accessible in Montreal.

Against the backdrop of a housing crisis, family cohabitation offers a tangible solution that allows several generations to live under one roof while maximizing the use of existing residential properties.

These measures are primarily intended for Montreal families who share their home with an elderly parent; for young adults who cannot afford to buy a property on their own but could do so with the support of a family member; as well as for seniors who are autonomous or experiencing mild loss of independence and wish to remain in their living environment surrounded by loved ones.

Making Housing More Accessible for Generations to Come

An administration led by Soraya Martinez Ferrada commits to:

• Creating a property tax credit program to stimulate the construction of accessory dwellings;
• Encouraging all boroughs to make it easier to build accessory dwellings by adjusting zoning bylaws;
• Waiving building permit fees for accessory dwelling projects.

Recognizing that adding a dwelling unit or additional rooms to a residence increases the property’s value—and therefore the tax bill—Ensemble Montréal intends to introduce a tax incentive for families who opt for an intergenerational cohabitation model. For five years, this program would grant a property tax credit on the first $250,000 of the increase in a property’s value following the addition of an accessory dwelling. This represents an average savings of approximately $5,750 over five years for families.

Over the next four years, the plan projects the addition of 2,000 accessory dwelling units across the city, representing nearly $6 million in property tax credits for Montreal families.

Helping Families Buy their First Home

Given the growing popularity of accessory dwellings, an Ensemble Montréal administration is committed to adjusting zoning bylaws to simplify their implementation. This initiative builds on previously announced measures and reflects the broader vision of facilitating access to homeownership, particularly for young families and first-time buyers:

• Establishing a maximum 90-day standard to obtain a building permit by right;
• Providing financial assistance equivalent to the “welcome tax” for first-time buyers of a new property below a predetermined value threshold, applicable for the first two years of the mandate;
• Assisting first-time buyers with their down payment when purchasing a new property below a predetermined value threshold;
• Developing a “Tenant to Homeowner” program that would allow tenants to invest part of their rent towards a down payment, with the goal of acquiring their housing permanently;
• Introducing measures to support the creation of homeowner housing co-operatives, thereby promoting affordable properties.

Quotes

“Too many families have been left on their own while the Plante-Rabouin administration multiplied obstacles and delays to housing construction. We can no longer afford to wait or make mistakes. Action is needed now, so Montrealers can build their future here, on the island. That’s why Ensemble Montréal is putting forward a concrete plan to address the housing crisis.” – Soraya Martinez Ferrada, Ensemble Montréal leader and mayoral candidate.

“Following the disastrous record of the Plante-Rabouin administration, Ensemble Montréal intends to take the necessary steps to resolve the housing crisis. Our goal is clear: facilitate construction with concrete measures. Intergenerational cohabitation is a sustainable solution to get there.” – Sylvain Gariépy, Ensemble Montréal spokesperson for housing and urban planning, and candidate for mayor of Villeray–Saint-Michel–Parc-Extension.

“A family wanting to adapt their property to welcome one of their own is making a significant investment that, in turn, maximizes the use of their home. Ensemble Montréal wants to support housing and, through this innovative measure, help families who choose to live together, support one another, and age alongside their loved ones under the same roof.” – Maude Théroux-Séguin, Ensemble Montréal candidate for mayor of Ahuntsic–Cartierville.