For decades, Parc-Extension was one of Montreal’s last affordable neighbourhoods—a densely populated, multicultural hub where newcomers could find modest rents and build a life. Today, that reputation is vanishing fast.
In recent years, the cost of renting in Parc-Ex has climbed at a staggering pace. Rents that once hovered around $800 or $900 for a family-sized apartment have now doubled, with some units surpassing $1,500 per month. The shift has strained long-term residents, many of whom now spend most of their income on housing, leaving little for groceries, transit, or medication.
This housing pressure has been building for some time, but the 2019 opening of the Université de Montréal’s new MIL campus—just across the tracks from Parc-Ex—has accelerated the transformation. With new academic facilities, increased student traffic, and rising investor interest, the area is experiencing the kind of gentrification that has already reshaped other Montreal neighbourhoods.
New developments are going up, but they’re not solving the affordability crisis. In fact, much of the new rental stock is geared toward students and professionals rather than low-income families. Meanwhile, older units are disappearing from the market through evictions, major renovations, or strategic lease non-renewals. In some cases, landlords undertake minimal repairs and re-list the apartments at significantly higher rates.
City data confirms the trend: rental prices across the borough of Villeray–Saint-Michel–Parc-Extension rose an average of 16% last year. The sharpest increase was seen in smaller units, with bachelor and one-bedroom apartments spiking by more than 25%. These changes are pushing many tenants out—and for those who remain, survival increasingly depends on drastic compromises.
While visible homelessness remains relatively rare in Parc-Ex, a growing number of residents are facing what experts call “hidden homelessness.” Some rent shared rooms at exorbitant prices. Others rely on overcrowded arrangements, sleeping on couches or living with extended family in tight quarters. Though not always seen, this housing insecurity is no less severe.
In response to the crisis, the City of Montreal recently announced plans to install modular housing units in the MIL sector. These prefabricated buildings, previously used by Hydro-Québec workers in northern Quebec, will temporarily house around 30 individuals transitioning out of homelessness. The initiative is billed as a short-term measure, supported by community groups that will provide on-site services.
However, critics argue that such pilot projects—while helpful for a handful—do little to address the broader affordability problem. The mismatch between population needs and available housing continues to widen.
The Université de Montréal has acknowledged the campus’s impact on local housing demand and has expressed support for student housing initiatives. Yet, the institution maintains that its role does not extend to the creation of social housing—leaving that responsibility to municipalities and the province.
In Parc-Extension, municipal authorities have taken some steps to limit evictions and aggressive development tactics, particularly in cases of property subdivision or expansion. However, enforcement is difficult, and landlords often find other ways to increase profitability through loopholes or superficial renovations.
As housing pressures intensify, community organizations are calling for stronger rent control mechanisms and large-scale investment in non-market housing. There is movement on this front: the city has begun acquiring land in Parc-Extension for future affordable housing developments, and several cooperative housing projects are currently being discussed.
Still, these efforts remain at the planning stage, and the pace of change on the ground is unrelenting. What was once a working-class neighbourhood offering stable, low-cost housing is now teetering on the edge of transformation—one where affordability may soon become a relic of the past.
