MONTREAL, Quebec, October 23, 2024 – In the context of a housing crisis exacerbated by inflation, high interest rates, and climate challenges, Laurence Vincent, president of Prével, presented a bold initiative aimed at supporting young adults in acquiring their first home. This program, detailed in a brief submitted to the Quebec National Assembly, offers concrete solutions to counter intergenerational inequity in housing.
The entrepreneur is convinced that the implementation of such a program would benefit society as a whole. By enabling young people to become homeowners, the program would enhance their residential security and help them build financial equity. This would significantly contribute to reducing the intergenerational inequity currently affecting the younger generation.
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REPLAY OF THE CONFERENCE: Canadian Club: Event with Laurence Vincent
An Innovative Program for a Difficult Economic
In her passionate plea before more than 360 people at the Canadian Club, Ms. Vincent reminded the audience that, according to a study conducted by Centraide of Greater Montreal, in collaboration with Léger, 65% of young people aged 18 to 34 experience high financial anxiety, and more than half fear they will never be able to own a home. To address this growing concern, she proposes the creation of a government program that would act as down payment assistance, allowing young people to purchase their first home.
During this conference, which was followed by a discussion led by Maxime Bergeron, a columnist at La Presse, Laurence Vincent highlighted the three main obstacles to purchasing a first property: the down payment, the ability to repay, and high mortgage payments. The initiative she proposes would act as financial support, similar to what parents may provide, but accessible to all young adults. It would provide the buyer with the equivalent of their down payment in exchange for a share of the increase in the property’s value.
A Positive Impact on the Rental Market and the Environment
This program, in addition to benefiting first-time homebuyers, would help free up rental units, thereby reducing pressure on the rental market and limiting rent increases. It also aligns with ecological goals by encouraging the purchase of small homes in consolidated areas, thus reducing car dependency.Laurence Vincent called for collective action to discuss, enhance, and support this program, emphasizing that Quebec has always been at the forefront of social innovation. Quotes
“It is crucial that we find innovative solutions to allow our youth to access homeownership, a fundamental right that should not be out of reach. This program could be cost-neutral for society and would help counter intergenerational inequity in housing.” – Laurence Vincent, President, Prével
“I have a deep conviction. As a Quebec nation, we should not accept the intergenerational housing inequity that has developed in recent years, on top of the social inequity that results from homeownership becoming a privilege reserved for the wealthiest.”
– Laurence Vincent, President, Prével.
About Laurence Vincent
Laurence Vincent is the president of Prével, a real estate company with 100 employees, founded over 40 years ago. Over the past 20 years, she has actively participated in the completion of several of the 12,000 housing units that Prével has delivered, as well as in the development of landmark urban projects.
Recognized for her contribution to the built heritage and access to homeownership, Laurence Vincent is involved in creating environments that promote human interaction and diversity. She serves on the board of the public interest organization Vivre en Ville and the Urban Development Institute of Quebec. She also chairs the Metropolitan and Urban Affairs Committee of the Chamber of Commerce of Metropolitan Montreal.
She holds a Bachelor of Arts in History from the University of British Columbia and an MBA from HEC Montreal. Laurence is also the author of the book Bâtir Montréal à la table 45, published by Éditions du Septentrion.
Information and interviews:
Sabrina Duguay, Vice-President
514 843-2390
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