THE PEEL BASIN: A SITE FOR SOCIAL HOUSING

Housing is a fundamental right. Yet, over 24,000 people are on the city’s waitlist for subsidized housing, including 325 families in urgent need of shelter since July 1st, 2021. “The city’s housing crisis has caused over 28,000 Montrealers to leave the island in pursuit of better, more affordable housing. Things clearly need to change,” explained Balarama Holness, Movement Montreal’s mayoral candidate. 

Movement Montreal has already led the charge in committing to the most ambitious social and affordable housing plan of all municipal political parties. Its housing policies include: 1) approving the creation of 30,000 new affordable rental homes, 20% of which will be “supportive homes” for vulnerable persons including people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, and 25% of which will be dedicated to female-led households; and 2) building 24,000 new social housing units across the city. 

To make these plans a reality, Movement Montreal is requesting that federal parties approve and support its social and affordable housing policy by transferring ownership of the Peel Basin to the Montreal municipal government to act as a primary site for social housing in the city. Currently slated to serve as Montreal’s future baseball stadium, the Peel Basin is located at the bottom of Peel Street, along the Lachine Canal. Leading directly to the Griffintown commercial district, the Peel Basin is an ideal location for social housing, providing prospective tenants with direct access to grocery stores, pharmacies, and metro stations.

Using the Peel Basin as a site for social housing rather than a baseball stadium better reflects the needs of Montrealers. “While a baseball stadium is attractive for a handful of investors, it is a poor investment in Montrealers’ quality of life. No longer should people be forced out of the city to find more affordable, safe, and sanitary homes. With this land, and this investment, Montreal can thrive,” explained Holness. “It is time for the federal parties to take bold action on the housing crisis. Movement Montreal is prepared to enter serious negotiations with the feds to make pragmatic, logical, and responsible decisions for the future of Montreal.”