Edmundston Housing Study: More than 1,000 units needed by 2025

Jan 30, 2023

The results of an exhaustive analysis on housing in Edmundston were just presented at a public information meeting. By 2025, more than 1,000 housing units are required to meet the needs. Within 20 years, more than 2,500 units will be needed.

Last March, City Council awarded a contract for an in-depth study on housing. The firm Raymond Chabot Grant Thornton (RCGT) was selected to carry out this study following the publication of a call for proposals.

As part of this mandate, RCGT was asked to conduct a housing needs assessment to provide a measured evaluation of current housing quantities and prices, including an assessment of unmet housing demand.

The firm also gathered and developed the essential information needed to fully engage local leaders, governments, local developers, and stakeholders in discussions on how to meet regional housing needs. "We knew the needs were great, but not on this scale. It was important to be well informed to address the problem," explained Edmundston Mayor Eric Marquis.

The study shows that 23 % of households in Edmundston live in inadequate housing, such as housing that is too small, in need of repair, or where more than 30 % of household income is spent on housing costs. The study also showed that the supply of larger dwellings (3 bedrooms or more) is critical since the vacancy rate is 0 %, which means that there are no dwellings available in this category in the city.

Considering the findings, various scenarios are possible, provided that all stakeholders can be brought together around the same table. The study revealed a number of opportunities to solve this problem, including the construction of multi-purpose buildings, integrating both housing and not-for-profit organizations, cooperative housing or the conversion of certain buildings.

"Now that we have this study in hand, we are better equipped as a community to face the challenges. The City has put in place an incentive program to encourage the addition of affordable housing and we will be able to work with developers, non-profit organizations and housing co-ops. If we want our city to move forward, if we want to retain or attract a new workforce, we need to act now," concluded Mayor Marquis.

The full study is available by CLICKING HERE. An English summary is also available HERE. 

For those who missed the public presentation, virtual sessions will be held on February 21 at 1:30 p.m. in French and 3:30 p.m. in English. Please register with Isabelle Laplante at 506.739.2080 or by email at isabelle.laplante@edmundston.ca

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CONTACTS: Francois Boutot, Director, Development Department, 506.739.2125, francois.boutot@edmundston.ca

OR

Isabelle Laplante, Economic Development Coordinator, 506.739.2080, isabelle.laplante@edmundston.ca