Expert: Affordable housing crisis in Quebec

Premier François Legault says he recognizes there is a shortage of affordable housing in Quebec but says his comments that a person can rent an apartment in Montreal for between $500-$600 a month have been misinterpreted. A survey published by La Presse last weekend revealed the average price of a Montreal apartment is about $907 a month and often these units are in terrible shape. (Montreal Gazette)

Here is an expert from McGill University who can provide comment on this issue:

Avi Friedman, Full Professor, Peter Guo-hua Fu School of Architecture

“Cities need to be creative when zoning places. Often, they are not demanding a return from developers, in terms of affordability, for allowing them to build high rises.”

Avi Friedman is a Full Professor at the Peter Guo-hua Fu School of Architecture. His research interests focus on factors which influence the design and implementation of affordable and sustainable building practices at the unit and community levels, including market acceptance, construction, and resource efficiency.

avi.friedman [at] mcgill.ca (English, French)