Finding a place to live is already difficult amid Quebec’s housing crisis, but for people living with disabilities, the search can be even more challenging.
For Maryse Aubin, a paraplegic resident of Laval, the struggle to find housing that is both accessible and affordable has stretched on for four years.
“I don’t understand, it feels like we’re always the landlords’ last choice,” said Aubin.
Aubin currently lives in a one-bedroom apartment that she enters through a garage door. She shares the small space with her son while continuing to search for a more suitable home.
“In two days, I visited three places, three ground-floor units that could have worked for me,” said Aubin. “I’m looking in Laval, Montreal, Longueuil, but as soon as they see the word ‘wheelchair,’ it’s radio silence. Landlords just stop responding.”
Organizations focused on accessible housing say Aubin’s experience is not unique.
After more than 24 years in operation, Logement HAN now manages more than 400 affordable and accessible housing units across the Eastern Townships, Gaspésie and Bas-Saint-Laurent regions. Additional projects are planned, including developments in Montreal, although no timeline has been announced.
“Logement HAN is a developer and operator of affordable and accessible housing. So basically we provide for people with low income but that are independent that live with disability,” said Anik Trudel, the organization’s chief executive officer. “It can be a physical disability, intellectual disability or autism, but also seniors that need adaptation in their housing.”
For Aubin, the lack of accessible housing affects her daily life. In her small bathroom, routine tasks such as showering can be physically demanding and have contributed to injuries requiring hospital treatment.
“Over time, all those repeated transfers have taken a toll. Right now, I have a torn bicep tendon,” said Aubin. “In 2023, two tendons in my shoulder were completely torn. I had surgery and now there are more tears in my right shoulder.”
According to Quebec government data, about 24 per cent of women aged 15 and older were living with a disability in 2022, compared with 18 per cent of men. Yet accessible housing remains scarce. Trudel estimates that fewer than one per cent of social housing units are fully adapted to meet the needs of people with disabilities.
“So basically we integrate 55 adaptation and now we’re moving even to a new design where we’re going to integrate 80 adaptation,” said Trudel. “It’s going to be like for sure no stairs. You can come in and there’s no bump. The windows are going to be lower so you can see outside. Accessible bathroom, accessible kitchen.”
While organizations continue to expand accessible housing options, Aubin says she is still waiting for an opportunity.
“I’m not asking for much, just a ground-floor apartment where I can stay and live my life,” she said.
