Whether due to demographic changes, increasing immigration, or other factors, many individuals and families struggle to find suitable and affordable housing. The units that are available often pose health risks in most cases due to their dilapidated state in various aspects.

My Personal Experience

From my own experience, when times were tough upon my arrival in the country, I witnessed firsthand the impact of this crisis and the reality I mentioned. I had great difficulty finding an available apartment, and when I finally found one, the dwelling showed signs of mold and condensation in various places. Overall, it was dilapidated and completely lacked maintenance. To complete the picture, my financial means did not allow me to pay the asking price.

Through life experiences and my determination to overcome challenges and improve my circumstances, I was able to change the trajectory for myself and my loved ones. However, I am acutely aware that this is not the case for thousands of families who struggle to find housing that meets basic standards of dignity, health, and affordability, among other factors.

My experience as a director of Major Projects at the Office municipal d’habitation de Montréal (OMHM) allowed me to observe firsthand the needs of those who had the ‘fortune’ of obtaining subsidized housing. The reality of underinvestment and lack of maintenance in the housing stock directly impacts the quality of life, self-esteem, and health of the families living there.

Unfortunately, the efforts deployed by different levels of government and the private sector remain insufficient. The battle we face is of major proportions and requires raising awareness among all actors in society, a genuine awakening of consciousness, and both individual and collective action, public and private, to address this problem that extends far beyond quantitative measures.

To compound the issue, climate change is becoming increasingly evident, and we must now consider the element of resilience in our built environments.

What Can Be Done?

Subsidy and assistance programs are available; however, I have significant doubts about the willingness of construction industry actors to take concrete action with the intensity necessary to mitigate the problem.

There’s widespread discussion about building new housing units, and I agree that it’s a necessity.

A solution that has gained traction in recent years is the renovation and transformation of existing buildings to create additional housing units. By converting underutilized spaces and adding secondary units to houses, we can increase the housing supply without significantly altering the character of our neighborhoods.

The renovation of existing buildings allows us to utilize existing infrastructure and resources, thereby reducing the need for new construction and minimizing environmental impact. Moreover, renovations can often be completed more quickly than new constructions, offering a solution to the most pressing needs.

A crucial aspect of renovation that has been largely overlooked in the search for solutions is its ability to preserve and revitalize the social fabric, history, and collective memory of previous generations who have occupied the areas to be renovated. This aspect constitutes an invisible tool that could contribute significantly to finding a solution. In my opinion, as previously mentioned, the solution must come from all of us. We all have a moral obligation to empower individuals at all levels.

The renovation work carried out during my tenure at the OMHM confirmed that when quality living environments are created, tenants feel more in control of their future, interact better with each other, and take better care of their built environments to preserve them and help ensure their longevity.

In addition to raising awareness about the housing issue, this observation convinced me of the need to move towards a more personalized, in-depth, and holistic level of action. LPS Architecture & Management Inc. was established as a response to several difficulties and challenges.

My Entrepreneurial Commitment

I decided to step aside from my role at the OMHM to allow for new leadership and launched into entrepreneurship as a means to effect change. From its inception, LPS began working with low-income individuals, seniors, and people with various disabilities who are housed in communities that are only partially adapted to their needs.

We have undertaken numerous projects to improve social housing, community housing, and senior housing. In collaboration with the private sector, we have designed new multifamily buildings and assisted real estate investors in increasing the housing supply by optimizing their assets, while also helping them generate profit.

Furthermore, in an effort to address the housing crisis on multiple fronts, we have ventured into real estate investment as a means to increase the supply of quality housing and revitalize the social and community dimensions for families, using our own resources. In our real estate investment strategy, we have deliberately chosen to focus on properties that others often overlook. Rather than targeting the more accessible and attractive segments of the market—those in good or acceptable condition—we tackle buildings that are dilapidated and present significant challenges.

We pursue these projects not only because we possess the necessary technical knowledge, financial means, and determination, but more importantly, because we are convinced of our obligation to create thriving living environments that foster happiness, strengthen communities, enrich culture, and stimulate economic growth.

In conclusion

In conclusion, the housing crisis demands urgent and collective attention. My personal experience, coupled with my observations as a project director and architect, has convinced me that solutions such as the renovation and transformation of existing buildings are essential to address the pressing needs of families seeking affordable and dignified housing.

It is imperative that all sectors of society—public, private, and individual—actively engage in this challenge. By uniting our efforts and adopting a holistic approach, we can not only address the multifaceted issues of the housing crisis but also improve the quality of life for those affected and revitalize the social fabric of our communities.