Homes or Hostility?: Understanding Urban Cohabitation for Revolutionary Solutions to the Housing Crisis

The rise in homelessness is closely tied to the ongoing housing crisis. A 2023 report by the Québec Ministry of Health and Social Services found that from 2018 to 2022, Montreal’s homeless population increased by 33%—likely a conservative estimate given the underreported nature of “invisible homelessness.”

This surge raises pressing questions about how cities and citizens interact with homelessness. One group sought to explore these issues through a panel discussion titled Homes or Hostility? Understanding Urban Cohabitation for Revolutionary Solutions to the Housing Crisis. Organized by the School of Community and Public Affairs, the event was held at the Shift Centre for Social Transformation in Concordia’s Library building. The panel brought together housing policy experts, community organizers, social housing developers, and an individual with firsthand experience of homelessness.

Over the course of an hour and a half, panelists examined the many ways people are affected by the housing crisis, along with efforts to expand social and affordable housing. A key discussion point was the rise of anti-homeless measures in the city. Panellist Gavin Armitage-Ackerman criticized Desjardins Mall for using an unconventional deterrent—blasting the children’s song Baby Shark in areas frequented by unhoused individuals.

Despite these challenges, the panel also highlighted successful grassroots movements and advocacy efforts working to provide shelter and support for those in need.

The event was well attended, reflecting the urgency of the issue. With homelessness and housing at the forefront of public concern, the need for continued dialogue and action remains clear.