On February 10, 2026, the Observatoire québécois des inégalités highlighted the growing inequalities in housing affordability among people aged 65 and over, based on internal research and data from the 2021 population census.
As people age, they become more vulnerable to unaffordable housing. Approximately 20.1% of seniors aged 65 and over live in housing that exceeds what they can afford based on their retirement income.
According to the Observatoire, housing is unaffordable for more than half of
households composed of people aged 65 and over who fall within the lowest 20% income bracket. The issue is even more pronounced among seniors living alone (33.2%) compared to those living as a couple (6.5%).
It is therefore not surprising that, for many, retirement can become synonymous with homelessness. Based on a count conducted on the night of October 11–12, 2022, it is estimated that 6.5% of people experiencing visible homelessness were aged 65 and over, and 29% were between 50 and 64 years old.
With the support of its donors, Toit à Moi is dedicated to housing individuals aged 55 and over, so they can age with safety, stability, and dignity.
(Source: MSSS, 2023 – Count of people experiencing homelessness in Quebec)
https://observatoiredesinegalites.com/les-personnes-ainees-ne-sont-pas-a-labri-de-la-crise-du-logement
Hundreds of thousands of Quebecers have experienced homelessness or eviction, according to
a recent report from the Institut de la statistique du Québec (ISQ).
Based on data collected between 2017 and 2022, in 9% of households, the reference person has experienced at least one period of homelessness in their lifetime. The most commonly cited causes are relationship or interpersonal issues (45%) and financial difficulties (36%).
In addition, approximately 5% of households in the province have been forced to move out of a rental unit. The main reason for eviction is a landlord reclaiming the property for personal use, cited in 40% of cases.
In Quebec, this represents more than 337,000 people who have experienced homelessness and approximately 187,000 households that have faced the consequences of a forced move.
Experiencing hardship and housing instability can happen to anyone. That’s why the Toit à Moi community is so important—to support those who find themselves without a home.
💛 Thank you for being part of this community.
One in Five Renters Struggles to Pay Their Rent
One in five renters in Quebec is struggling to pay their rent, according to a recent Léger survey commissioned by the organization Vivre en Ville.
Across Québec, this represents more than 700,000 people.
💬 “These figures are a wake-up call… this is no longer an isolated crisis; it is a social emergency hitting Québec head-on,” says Christian Savard, Executive Director of Vivre en Ville.
While the study shows that workers aged 35–54 are themselves facing difficulties paying rent, a significant number of people aged 55 and over report being in the same situation. This struggle to make ends meet is a key indicator of risks related to poverty, rising housing costs, and the loss of independence that can lead to homelessness.
With the support of its donors, Toit à Moi is working to combat poverty by making more housing affordable, faster so people can live and age in safety and dignity. 🏠
In 2026, Toit à moi enters a pivotal year. Our goal is to acquire 75 condominium units by 2028 to quickly provide a true home for aging individuals who are still waiting in shelters.
To achieve this, we must convince the federal, provincial, and municipal governments to support the purchase of condominiums, and mobilize investors and financial institutions to secure the financing required for acquisition.
More than ever, we will need everyone’s support: partners, donors, decision-makers, and engaged citizens.
Together, let’s make 2026 a year in which we purchase more than doors—we profoundly transform lives.
Toit à moi’s innovation goes beyond acquiring condominiums to quickly house people experiencing homelessness. We systematically involve donors—our sponsors—in the effort to provide affordable and dignified housing for vulnerable individuals in a context where the cost of living and rents are increasingly unaffordable. For each Toit à moi condo, approximately 40 sponsors, contributing $25 or $50 per month, help cover the mortgage and housing-related costs, allowing us in turn to rent the unit at an affordable rate.
The campaign held from June to December 2025 mobilized more than 600 people! Our goal is to reach 1,500 sponsors in 2026 to help cover the costs of dozens of housing units.
Sponsors are recruited through a personal ambassador-led campaign within their own networks. A heartfelt thank-you to the 20 ambassadors who are currently mobilizing their loved ones through February. Write to us at info@toitamoi.ca to become an ambassador.
Toit à moi officially launched its project on November 25, 2025, at the Maison du développement durable, surrounded by some fifty partners and collaborators.
In its first year of operations, Toit à moi set out to establish a proof of concept with five initial housing units.
These units were acquired thanks to a generous donation from the Gauthier Family Foundation. On the following page, you will be able to see them in photos: they are beautiful, warm, and designed to foster resilience after years of hardship.
Le Chaînon and La Maison du Père are the first two housing placement and support partners to join our initiative.
Nicola, Daniel, and Martin are the first three tenants. A woman and a man will soon move into the two other acquired units. We are proud of our tenants and of the journey they have taken to regain stability and peace of mind.
TÀM now has five outstanding housing units dedicated to fostering resilience and helping individuals move beyond trauma.
Frontenac Metro
Honoré-Beaugrand Metro
Place des Arts Metro
Beaudry Metro
Berri–UQAM Metro
Founded in 2023 by Martin Gauthier, Denis Castin, and Serge Lareault, Toit à moi is proud to welcome three new members to its Board of Directors. These individuals bring deep expertise in their respective fields and a strong commitment to the mission. A heartfelt thank you for joining the TÀM journey!
– Marie-Josée Rioux, Manager at Fondaction CSN in Impact Investment Partnerships and Platforms, with 30 years of experience in banking, venture capital, and social investment; contributor to several large-scale territorial development projects.
– Alexandre Skaff, Investor at Plagesco Holding Inc., a portfolio holding interests in private companies, real estate investments, and publicly traded companies; seasoned leader with over 20 years of expertise in corporate management and global strategy, including roles at Kraft Foods and Pratt & Whitney; actively involved in several philanthropic initiatives.
– Sonia Côté, CEO of Le Chaînon, with 25 years of experience as an executive in the community sector and the public system, spanning homelessness, housing, mental health, and public health; from 2009 to 2013, member of the national research coordination team on homelessness and mental health (At Home/Chez Soi Project, Mental Health Commission of Canada), contributing to the development of innovative housing models and effective clinical practices for this vulnerable population.
TÀM has just acquired its units 2 and 3 thanks to a donation from the Gauthier Family Foundation and a mortgage loan from BMO.
Two superb condos for less than $300,000 have been acquired. Two people who have been living at the Maison du Père (MDP) for several months will be able to move in in September.
Apartment in the Ville-Marie (VM) district
Ideally located in the entertainment district and close to all the services of the Complexe Desjardins, this apartment impresses with its brightness: a large bay window floods the apartment with sunlight. Located on the ground floor with an access ramp for people with reduced mobility.
Apartment in the Mercier-Hochelaga-Maisonneuve (MHM) borough
Located near the Honoré-Beaugrand metro station and all the amenities on Hochelaga Street, this superb new apartment is located in a quiet neighborhood and benefits from a beautiful garden-level terrace and a shared rooftop terrace. This apartment was also chosen for its easy access for an elderly person.
Toit à moi (TÀM) is building its community. Some 300 people have become sponsors of the organization in less than two weeks. All of these people are now helping to make TÀM’s first six condos affordable.
Let us recall our concept which aims to socialize co-ownerships in Quebec.
Patrons: TÀM relies on patrons (foundations, corporations, major donors, financial institutions and governments) to provide down payments to acquire one-bedroom condominiums for less than $300,000. For TÀM’s first three condos, the Gauthier Family Foundation provided $700,000 for the acquisitions and the Bank of Montreal (BMO) provided $300,000 in mortgage loans.
Ambassadors and Sponsors: Ambassadors are individuals committed to TÀM. During a one-month flash campaign, they solicit monthly or annual donations from their network to cover the mortgages and operating costs of the condominiums. These costs amount to approximately $12,000 to $16,000 per year. Without donor support to cover these expenses, the rents would be unaffordable. Environ 30-40 parrains-marraines, offrant entre 25 et 50 $ par mois, permettent de payer un logement.
The first campaign
Five ambassadors raised their hands to recruit the first sponsors: Martin Gauthier, Alexandre Skaff, Serge Lareault, Renée Larivière, Lise Dufour.
The results
The results were swift and enthusiastic. Some 300 people spontaneously answered the call. An annual value of $125,000 was raised in two weeks. The first six TÀM condos are therefore financed for one year. Half of the donors have already expressed interest in continuing next year.
A huge thank you to all the generous people who want to help, believe in our innovative concept, and trust our fledgling organization. Thank you also to our ambassadors who have recruited so many people from their circle!
Want to become an ambassador? Write to us in the Contact section!
Montreal businessman and philanthropist Martin Gauthier, President of the Gautier Family Foundation, is the visionary behind the creation of TÀM in Quebec. The Gauthier family invested $2 million in the charity’s first three years. He chaired the first TÀM ambassador campaign to recruit sponsors.