Breaking Quebec’s Housing Deadlock
QPAREB priorities and proposals for Quebec’s 2026 provincial elections
The situation
Quebec is facing a persistent housing shortage. The main obstacle is no longer just financial: it is our collective ability to quickly build enough housing sufficiently tailored to the needs of Quebecers.
Supply is no longer keeping up with demand. Administrative delays are slowing projects, regulations are making delivery more complex, and homeownership is becoming increasingly difficult to attain.
For the QPAREB, homeownership must become a national economic priority. A key part of the solution is a sustained increase in housing supply, so more Quebecers can access homes that fit their needs.
83% of Quebecers believe the shortage of affordably priced properties contributes to the challenges of homeownership.
In response, the QPAREB proposes two complementary courses of action: strengthening Quebec’s construction capacity and developing housing options that better reflect household needs.
Priority 1: Build more
Rapidly expand housing supply
Quebec must improve its ability to deliver residential projects by removing the barriers that delay completion.
64% of Quebecers want the pace of new housing construction to increase in the coming years.
Our proposals
Reduce approval times for residential projects
Accelerate permits, strengthen transparency, and improve municipal performance.
69% of Quebecers consider this measure effective for sustainably improving access to homeownership.
Modernize the rules that hinder construction
Simplify and harmonize the rules to promote more predictable projects.
Nos propositions
Give Quebec the means to build more
Increase prefabricated construction capacity, support innovation, and improve productivity.
Replicate models that already work
Scale up proven approaches and partnerships.
Priority 2: Build better
Develop the housing Quebecers need
Quebec must diversify its housing supply and make better use of available land to meet today’s needs and prepare for tomorrow’s.
Access to homeownership also depends on offering a wider range of housing choices. Sixty percent of aspiring homeowners would be willing to choose a smaller property, while only 15% consider a single-family home realistic. Quebec must therefore encourage options that better reflect the financial realities and preferences of households.
Our proposals
Develop intermediate residential products
Promote condominiums, townhouses, semi-detached houses and plexes, support accessory dwelling units and adapt government programs.
Make smart densification a reality
Make better use of existing infrastructure and strengthen coherence in land-use planning.
uit
Use public land as a lever for housing
Mobilize public land assets to accelerate the creation of housing.
74% of Quebecers consider greater use of underused public land and buildings effective for delivering residential projects.
Our message for the elections
The current crisis requires more than one-off measures. Housing demands structural solutions, a coherent vision, and concrete action to sustainably increase supply.
The best way to sustainably improve affordability and facilitate homeownership is to increase the supply of homes adapted to Quebecers’ needs, while creating a simpler, more predictable, and more effective environment for delivering residential projects.
84% of Quebecers believe that improving access to homeownership should be an important priority for the next Government of Quebec.
Learn more about the QPAREB’s government relations work and its submitted briefs on real estate and housing issues.
Read the QPAREB’s proposals
Download the full document to learn more about the priorities and proposed measures for Quebec’s 2026 provincial elections.
Statistics: Study conducted by Léger on behalf of the QPAREB.