Montreal isn't the haven for renters it once was

Driven by increased demand and rising housing prices, Montreal's rental market has become increasingly competitive, leaving low-income families especially vulnerable.

A new report from the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation shows the citylong viewed as a haven for cheap, roomyapartmentshas seen its vacancy rate tightenfor the second consecutive year.

The rate in the Montreal areadroppedto 1.9 per cent in 2018, compared to 2.8 per cent a year earlier. The shortage is particularly acute for larger, two and three-bedroom apartments.

Housing advocates view anything below three per cent as concerning.

"The demand is so strong right now," said Francis Cortellino, an economist with CMHC.

"There's more supply and yet the vacancy rate is lower."

The report saysan influx of international arrivals, including refugees, foreign students and temporary workers, has contributedto the rise in demand.

As well, young households are turning to the rental market as housing prices grow further out of reach for many.

The tightening vacancy rate comes despite an increase in supply.

There were 7,500 new rental units added in the past year, as developers sought to fill a demand among the aging population, the report said.

Montreal remains a renter's market by comparison to other Canadian cities.

In October, Vancouver had the highest average monthly rent for a two-bedroom apartment at $1,649, followed by Toronto at $1,467.

By comparison, theaverage rent for the same-sized apartment in Montreal, which has stricter rent-control measures, was $802.

The vacancy rates in those cities are also tighter one per cent in Vancouver and 1.1 per cent in Toronto.

Still, the social housing group FRAPRU warned that the rental shortage will likely get worse in Montreal, saying low-income families in particular are likely to be forced into smaller, unsuitable accommodations.

"The situation clearly demonstrates the urgency of releasing funds to revive the development of social housing in Quebec," spokesperson Vronique Laflamme said in a statement.

The Plante administration has pledged to build or renovate 12,000 affordable housing units by 2022.