Montreal ramps up moving day support amid housing crisis

The City Montreal is ramping up support for vulnerable tenants ahead of July 1 moving day, offering emergency housing, storage and a housing search tool as the city’s housing crisis continues

The City of Montreal has begun preparing for the July 1 moving day as the housing crisis continues to affect residents.

The city said it is putting a number of resources in place to help vulnerable tenants find permanent housing.

For those who may not have found housing by July, services including access to emergency accommodation and temporary storage of personal belongings will also be available.

According to the city, its budget for this initiative has more than doubled since 2023 — from $1.5 million to $3.5 million.

To raise awareness of the available services, an online campaign is also being launched.

“Every year, July 1 is a particularly stressful time for more and more Montrealers who have difficulty finding housing options that meet their needs and budget,” said Despina Sourias, Montreal’s special advisor on housing.

“In the face of the housing crisis and growing vulnerability, our administration continues to deploy various solutions and is putting in place resources tailored to the needs of the entire population.”

People searching for apartments can use the Office municipal d’habitation de Montréal’s (OMHM) online housing search tool to find options based on their budget and the number of rooms needed.

To date, OMHM has received 229 requests for assistance since the beginning of the year.

“We are working tirelessly with the OMHM to provide effective support and referrals so that everyone can find suitable accommodation,” Sourias added.

“For several years now, Montreal has been committed to informing, raising awareness and providing financial support to households in difficulty. Obviously, it takes several people on the front lines to get through the housing crisis.”