As July 1 and moving season approach, tenant advocacy organizations say the government’s plan to deal with the crisis is unsatisfactory.
“We don’t think that will solve the problem,” summarized, in a telephone interview, Véronique Laflamme, spokesperson for the Popular Action Front in Urban Redevelopment (FRAPRU).
His organization is already expecting more requests for help than last year as the housing crisis escalates.
As a reminder, Thursday, the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, Andrée Laforest, announced the implementation of a $77 million action plan to help Quebecers looking for housing.
Of this sum, the lion’s share, or $75.8 million, will go to the rent supplement program (PSL), which subsidizes private market housing so that the rent corresponds to 25% of the tenants’ income.
Both the Regrouping of Housing Committees and Tenant Associations of Quebec (RCLALQ) and FRAPRU point out that many tenants are unable to access it, even though only a fraction of the sums have been allocated.
“Not only will this not solve the systemic problem of the housing crisis, but it also allows the government to suggest that it is doing something when it knows full well that the sums promised will not be fully spent”, denounced Cédric Dussault, spokesperson for the RCLALQ.
For the FRAPRU, the only two real novelties are the launch of an information campaign, to make known the assistance available, as well as the payment of funds to the housing offices so that they directly set up a service of assistance with rehousing (SARL).
The government plan also provides for the extension of the opening hours of a telephone support line for tenants looking for accommodation.
“We are not investing enough in alternatives, such as social housing. All of this means that without a lasting solution, there are more and more households that find themselves in difficulty and it is the cities that have to pay the bill,” said Ms. Laflamme.
The RCLALQ called last month for the resignation of Minister Laforest because of her “mismanagement” of the housing file.
“This action plan is unfortunately no exception. Once again, not only the minister, but the entire CAQ government are showing that they do not understand the reality of tenant households, ”said Mr. Dussault.
1
