Diverse metropolis: Affordable housing zones
The By-law for a diverse metropolis includes requirements for affordable housing in certain areas, called affordable housing zones. These zones were created based on amendments to the former Master plan or on residential density increases resulting from the new 2050 Land Use and Mobility Plan.
Two categories of zones
Affordable zone 1 | Requirement: 10% of the project |
|---|---|
Affordable zone 2 | Requirement: 20% of the project |
Outside of affordable housing zones | Financial contribution required for projects with floor areas of 4,500 m² or more, for all agreements signed after December 31, 2026 |
Overlap | Some requirements apply and the calculation method to determine the contribution depends on the type of overlap. For questions, please contact the Service de l’habitation at: [email protected]. |
Affordable housing requirements apply mainly in areas where residential development potential increased after the by-law came into force. Economies of scale and the value generated offset the cost of the affordable housing required.
Guidelines used to create zones under the former Master Plan
From April 2021 to September 2025, in accordance with the guidelines used under the Master Plan in effect for that period, new affordable housing zones were added in areas where residential development potential was increased by 20% or more. An increase of 20% to 40% led to the creation of a type-1 affordable housing zone (10% requirement), while an increase of more than 40% or a change in land use designation newly authorizing a residential component led to the creation of a type 2 affordable housing zone (20% requirement).
Guidelines used to create zones under the new 2050 Land Use and Mobility Plan
In September 2025, as the 2050 Land Use and Mobility Plan was rolled out, new affordable housing zones were added simultaneously in various areas.
Type 1 affordable housing zones 1 (10% affordable housing requirement) were created where intermediate intensification areas and residential opportunity areas to be planned overlap.
Type 2 affordable housing zones 2 (20% affordable housing requirement) were created where high intensification areas and residential opportunity areas to be planned overlap, as well as where residential land uses are newly permitted.
Current zones
Discover the affordable housing zones that are currently covered by the by-law.
Outside affordable housing areas covered by the by-law, only projects having a surface area of more than 4,500 m2 are subject to an affordable housing requirement.
More specifically, the requirement is in the form of a financial contribution, calculated based on the residential floor area exceeding 4,500 m2. However, for agreements signed between March 20, 2024 and December 31, 2026, no such contribution is required.
Furthermore, overlap rules are indicated in the by-law for situations where a project is partially located in an affordable housing zone, overlap rules are provide din the by-law. For questions, please contact the Service de l’habitation at: [email protected].
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