Ensemble Montréal, the official opposition party at City Hall, has issued a strong critique of the Plante administration’s handling of city-owned vacant buildings and its sluggish progress in addressing the housing crisis. City Councilor for Parc-Extension, Mary Deros, voiced particular concern over the slow redevelopment of La Plaza Hutchinson, a property purchased by the City of Montreal four years ago, which has yet to be converted into affordable housing.

In an interview with Park-Ex News, Deros confirmed that despite the city’s acquisition of La Plaza Hutchinson, the project to turn it into affordable housing is moving at a “glacial pace.” This is a significant issue for the Parc-Extension neighborhood, where affordable housing is desperately needed. Deros highlighted the worsening homelessness in the area, with individuals sleeping in Howard Park.

However, Deros emphasized that the problem goes beyond slow housing development. She pointed out that the administration’s failure to account for parking in its plans could create further complications. With the city removing 250 parking spaces to make way for bike paths, the potential for increased housing without corresponding parking infrastructure could create additional difficulties for the already dense neighborhood.

Ensemble Montréal is pressing the administration on two fronts:

Lead by Example: The opposition party argues that the city should be setting a standard in maintaining and utilizing its vacant properties. Properties like 1300 Saint-Antoine, which has caught fire five times since its acquisition, are emblematic of the city’s failure to maintain its assets and use them for the public good.

Utilize Resources for Housing: Ensemble Montréal insists that the Plante administration has the tools necessary to repurpose vacant city-owned properties into affordable housing. Inaction, they argue, is a missed opportunity to address the city’s deepening housing crisis.

As Montreal continues to struggle with an affordable housing shortage, Ensemble Montréal is calling for faster action, not only to meet the needs of neighborhoods like Parc-Extension but also to avoid creating new problems, such as increased congestion and parking issues, in an already overburdened urban area.