Gentrification Increases in Parc-Extension

Parc-Extension is a low income neighbourhood in Montreal with a large immigrant population. But the unique cultures and affordability is under threat in this area with the new Université de Montréal campus having opened nearby. As a result, many students and young professionals are moving to Parc-Extension, taking away housing from working class and immigrant families.

The neighbourhood has seen an increase in rent prices, renovictions and other forms of forced displacement.

Nuzhat Niaz Parama, community organizer at housing rights group the Parc-Extension Action Committee says the neighbourhood is dealing with a lot of gentrification-related issues. 

Niaz Parama says as a result of the new UdeM campus and the university not building accommodation for students, this has caused students to live in the area. CAPE has noticed many landlords evicting families to increase the rent and provide rental units for students. Niaz Parama says landlords in Parc-Extension have been prioritizing providing housing for students instead of landlords.

Niaz Parama says Parc-Extension is not quite affected by Airbnb, especially compared to Plateau, Mont-Royal and Rosemont. However, CAPE wants to avoid Airbnb taking over Parc-Extension and generating another threat to long-term affordable housing in the area.

She says before the pandemic CAPE spoke with the borough on how to prevent the neighbourhood from being gentrified by Airbnb. This was just before the pandemic hit, and she said this pushed the project to the side. During the pandemic, CAPE focused on other issues the neighbourhood experienced considering barriers in residents accessing long-term affordable housing. 

Niaz Parama says a lot of condominiums have been coming up in the area, increasing overall prices in Parc-Extension.