According to new data from rental housing site Rentals.ca, the average monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Gatineau has increased by 62.6% in four years, from $1,073 in May 2019 to $1,745 in May 2023. This situation would make Gatineau the most expensive city in Quebec and the 23rd most expensive city in the country.
The number of requests for information from the OH de l’Outaouais with regard to a possible move would have increased by 400%, according to the organization’s spokeswoman, Karina Osiecka, who notes that the majority of applicants do not move because of high apartment rents.
While the housing crisis has historically affected the low-income population, it is now affecting the entire Gatineau population, she argues. In addition, according to the latest statistics for this year, we can see that Gatineau is the city with the highest average rent in the entire province.
Karina Osiecka, spokeswoman for the Outaouais Housing Office
Photo: Radio Canada
“It’s Mr. and Mrs. Everyone talks to us. […] We see people who have jobs but are struggling to find something that fits their budget. »
— A quote from Karina Osiecka, spokeswoman for the Office d’habitation de l’Outaouais
[Les gens] Come to us and we’ll show you what’s on the private market. There they realize that in the end it is better to stay where they are now, because [le prix de] “What we are finding on the private market far exceeds what they are currently paying,” says Outaouais OH spokesman.
The mission of the OH de l’Outaouais is to provide quality housing and living environments to people on low or modest incomes.
Solutions on the Horizon?
While in Outaouais Monday morning to attend a midday conference hosted by the Gatineau Chamber of Commerce, Quebec Labor Minister Jean Boulet unveiled his project to modernize the construction industry.
The aim of the project mentioned is in particular to revitalize and make the sector more flexible in order to shorten the construction period and thus improve the housing supply in the region.
We need to find more agile ways. It is necessary to eliminate the difficulties inherent in this sector. Nor should we neglect the importance of international recruitment and skill recognition [et] Cut bureaucracy so we’re an open and inclusive market in Quebec, he commented.
Jean Boulet (foreground), Quebec Minister of Labor
Photo: Radio Canada
According to Association of Construction and Housing Professionals of Quebec (APCHQ) Director General Nicolas Brisson, the vacancy rate in Gatineau is 0.8%, which is unprecedented. Across Quebec, according to Association de la construction du Québec director general for Outaouais, Abitibi and Northwest Quebec, Geneviève Latulippe.
“We have to build more apartments, we have no other choice. With a vacancy rate of 0.8%, we will soon find ourselves in a social crisis. »
– A quote from Nicolas Brisson, executive director of the Association of Construction and Housing Professionals of Quebec
Nicolas Brisson, General Manager of the Association of Construction and Housing Professionals of Quebec
Photo: Radio Canada
Like Minister Boulet, Mr Brisson and Mrs Latulippe believe it is important to make the construction sector more flexible.
We have to deal with the fact that our closest competitor is on the other side [c’est-à-dire en Ontario]. […] Let’s utilize the labor that has flowed on the Ontario side. […] “I am confident that things will change and that at some point we will have more flexibility in our industry,” says Ms. Latulippe.
Geneviève Latulippe, executive director of the Quebec Construction Association for Outaouais, Abitibi and Northwest Quebec
Photo: Radio Canada
In comparison, the price for a one-bedroom unit in Ottawa in May 2023, according to Rentals.ca, averaged $1,972, a year-on-year increase of 13.7%. The federal capital would be Canada’s 13th most expensive city, well behind Vancouver, which takes first place, and Toronto, which takes second place.
Note, however, that the Rentals.ca website does not contain all listings, as there is a fee for posting an ad there.
With information from Laurie Trudel and Nelly Albérola