Diverse metropolis: Ways to contribute

Last updated September 24, 2025
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Is your residential project subject to the By-law for a Diverse Metropolis? Your contribution to Montréal’s supply of social, affordable and family housing can take a number of forms.

Expected contributions and ways to contribute are different for each type of housing (social, affordable and family). They vary depending on the location and scope of the project. They are subject to an agreement with the city, the terms of which will be determined based on the characteristics of every project.

Social housing contribution

Your contribution to social housing can be made by: 

  • The sale of an immovable in the form of vacant land, of a turnkey project, or of a fixed-price design-build project. For the sale of vacant land, you will receive financial compensation, calculated based on the buildable potential of the transferred land (approximate minimum of 2,700 m2) and on the area where it is located. The costs associated with the construction of a turnkey or design-build project are typically offset with subsidies. To sign an agreement with the City, please contact the Service de l’habitation, at [email protected];
  • A financial contribution: the contribution varies according to the project size and area where it is located;
  • A combination of the options listed above. 

Contributions can be made on or off the project site (within a maximum radius of 2 km of the project and for a slightly higher contribution). For downtown projects (area 1), contributions must be made in the same area.

Affordable housing contribution

Expected contribution varies depending on the location of the project. The project can be located in an affordable housing zone or outside one. To view affordable housing zones, see the map.

If the project is located in an affordable housing zone, your affordable housing contribution can be made by:

  • Creating affordable housing. To sign an agreement, contact the Service de l’habitation at [email protected].
  • Selling an immovable, which may take the form of the sale of an existing rental immovable or vacant land. You will receive financial compensation that will vary according to the option you choose. To sign an agreement, contact the Service de l’habitation at [email protected].
  • A financial contribution: contributions vary according to the size of the project and the area where it is located. 
  • A combination of these options. 

Contributions can be made on or off the project site (within a maximum radius of 2 km of the project and for a slightly higher contribution). For downtown projects (area 1), contributions must be made in the same area.

If the project is located outside an affordable housing zone, there are two possible cases:

  • Residential area that is greater than 4,500 m2: your affordable housing contribution must be a financial contribution, which is calculated according to the residential area exceeding 4,500 m2. However, for the agreements concluded in the period from March 20, 2024 to December 31, 2026, no such contribution will be payable. 
  • Residential area is inferior than or equal to 4,500 m2: No affordable housing contribution is required.

Family housing contribution

The family housing contribution takes the form of the construction of housing that meets the definition of family housing. The number of homes to build depends on the project’s total number of dwellings.

For projects in the downtown area (area 1), contributions must be made in this area.

No private family housing contribution is required for projects with fewer than 50 dwellings or that are located in a family housing exemption area.

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Find out how to use our contribution calculation tool.

ArticleDiverse metropolis: Use the calculation tool

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