Following Quebec’s recent moving day, a significant number of households in Montreal are still in emergency housing. With 71 households currently seeking shelter, this number surpasses last year’s count of 40 in similar situations.
Many of these families were left homeless as leases expired around July 1, a common occurrence in the province. To address this crisis, the city has provided temporary accommodations in hotels and community-owned units for those in need.
Rouzier Métellus, director of Montreal’s housing authority, expressed concern over the growing reliance on emergency housing. Rising housing costs in Montreal have made it increasingly difficult for residents to find affordable housing options, exacerbating the situation.
Véronique Laflamme, a spokesperson for a housing rights organization, sees the use of emergency housing as a necessary step to prevent homelessness. While it offers temporary relief, Laflamme emphasizes the importance of developing sustainable, affordable housing solutions for tenants.
The housing authority offers free emergency accommodations for two months, after which assistance is tailored to individual needs. The ultimate goal is to help these households secure permanent housing within a few months.
Despite a decrease in the total number of households seeking assistance compared to last year, the housing crisis persists in Montreal and Quebec. Experts like Jayne Malenfant from McGill University attribute this issue to a combination of rising rents, weakened tenant protections, and a lack of affordable housing options.
