Montreal Mayor Soraya Martinez Ferrada says her administration is setting aside some money to cover the cost of interest-free loans for tenants who are struggling to pay their rent.
The move comes a few days before July 1, when many renters move and start new leases.
The mayor says the funds will allow some 150 households to access up to $5,000 in loans repayable over five years.
The city was unable to say exactly how much the program would cost taxpayers.
The loans will be managed by Maison du Père, a non-profit organization dedicated to tackling homelessness in the city.
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The organization first ran the program as a pilot project.
The non-profit also accompanies tenants, provides psychosocial support and runs emergency housing.
Martinez Ferrada says it’s crucial to help people before they lose access to housing to help maintain affordability and limit tenant turnover.
She says the housing crisis is not caused by a shortage of units but by a lack of affordability.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 29, 2026.
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Basic living expenses should not cause unnecessary debt. This is incredibly tone deaf. The answer to unaffordability crisis is not more unaffordability. Idiocracy!
How is this going to work? If someone cannot afford to pay rent, give them a loan, so they can, but then they have to pay rent and the loan.
Keep in mind, there is EI for those laid off. And there should be savings to fall back on. –
If they are talking about loans, then they would be repaid, so it would not cost the taxpayer anything. If they are not thinking of loans, but handouts, then it would cost taxpayers. One has to question why only those who cannot pay rent get free rent, and those who are working hard, and scrimping to pay rent get nothing. – hardly the reward system that I support.