Québec is in the midst of a housing crisis. Demand for rental apartments continues to surge, vacancy rates remain at historic lows, and affordability is deteriorating. In response, many municipalities are proposing partnerships with developers to accelerate the construction of new housing. While these partnerships may seem like a good idea, they are often slowed by bureaucracy and red tape, delaying projects rather than accelerating them.

If the goal is to create more housing quickly, cities need to focus on giving developers the right tools instead of adding layers of process. The numbers show how urgent this issue has become. Housing costs have been rising steadily in recent years, with average rents climbing sharply and more households spending over 30 percent of their income on housing. Building permit activity in Québec remains high, yet many of these projects sit in limbo for months or years before construction even begins. Meanwhile, programs meant to deliver affordable housing are lagging far behind their targets, with only a small fraction of planned units completed and ready for occupancy.

The Problem With Partnerships

Municipalities often propose formal public-private partnerships to manage new housing projects. While the intent is positive, these arrangements tend to create multiple layers of approval, complicated oversight structures, and lengthy negotiations. Projects get stuck in political debates instead of moving forward. When delays happen, accountability becomes unclear and costs rise, while developers take on higher risk with uncertain returns.

What Developers Really Need

Québec’s housing challenges will only be solved if municipalities focus on empowering the private sector rather than controlling it. This starts with more flexible zoning that allows higher-density projects and mixed-use developments, especially in areas near transit or where infrastructure already exists.

Speed is another critical factor. Developers need a predictable and streamlined permitting process, with guaranteed timelines to avoid projects being stalled indefinitely. Technology and digital platforms can play a key role in cutting paperwork and ensuring transparency throughout the approval process.

Tax incentives and reduced development charges can make a decisive difference for projects aimed at affordability or purpose-built rentals. With construction and material costs continuing to rise, these financial tools can turn marginal projects into viable ones, encouraging more developers to take on these crucial initiatives.

Finally, stability in regulation is essential. Sudden rule changes can disrupt carefully planned projects and erode investor confidence. Clear, consistent policies help developers plan long-term and commit resources with certainty.

Let Developers Do What They Do Best

Developers are not asking for cities to build projects for them. They are asking for the conditions to execute quickly and efficiently. When governments step back from trying to manage every detail and instead focus on creating the right environment, housing production accelerates.

Empowering developers through zoning flexibility, faster approvals, tax incentives, and regulatory stability would unlock thousands of new units in Québec. Complex partnership agreements and layers of bureaucracy, on the other hand, only slow things down.

If Québec is serious about solving its housing crisis, it’s time to focus on results. Let the private sector do what it does best—build—and provide the tools that will help get shovels in the ground faster.