News
A Rental Shift in Greater Montreal
Jean Giguère
Author :
WikiResidence
Source :
6/6/25
In the post-pandemic economic context, Greater Montreal’s real estate market is undergoing a major transformation: the rise of rental housing.
While single-family homes and condos are losing ground, apartment buildings are now driving most new construction.
This trend, highlighted by the Greater Montreal Observatory, raises key issues around housing supply and urban planning
In the heart of the Longueuil agglomeration, a quiet yet profound shift is reshaping the real estate landscape.
According to the latest data from the Greater Montreal Observatory, 81% of housing starts in 2024 are rental units, compared to just 12% in 2012.
This marks a paradigm shift, accelerated by the economic effects of the pandemic.
Jean-Charles Hamel, head of publications at the Observatory, notes that “the economic situation has changed. A new paradigm has taken hold in the real estate market.”
In Longueuil, 94% of new construction in 2024 consists of apartment buildings.
Across the South Shore, that figure is 80%, reflecting a strong regional trend.
This dynamic unfolds amid a persistent housing shortage.
Despite a 19% rebound in housing starts compared to 2023—reaching 16,400 units—the level remains below the 25-year annual average of 20,200 units.
The 2021 peak of 30,200 starts now seems distant.
The cities of Longueuil, Brossard, and Saint-Bruno-de-Montarville stand out for their contributions to this recovery.
Longueuil alone accounts for 89% of the agglomeration’s housing starts, marking a dramatic 171% increase over the previous year.
This shift toward rental housing raises essential questions:
how can we sustainably meet growing demand?
What are the impacts on social diversity and urban density?
One thing is clear: Greater Montreal’s urban face is being redefined.