In Trois-Rivières, more than 530 people are on the waiting list for cheap apartments. 61 families live with relatives or friends because they are still homeless. More than 20 people in Shawinigan are living with acquaintances or are homeless. In the MRC Maskinongé, around 20 people are hoping for a cheap rental apartment because they live in apartments that are too expensive for their circumstances. In La Tuque no one is homeless.
Since July 1, the situation has improved slightly, but the situation is still worrying.
“We don’t know how many people are on the streets. Ten cases were settled in Trois-Rivières. We know that six people were homeless and that four are being cared for by the Red Cross and the city of Trois-Rivières. Many seniors have to expect an increase in their living space. $500 apartments now cost $700. You are no longer solvent. They live in apartments that are too expensive for their income. In Trois-Rivières a new 4 ½ is affordable for $1,200.”
— Claude Jalette, coordinator of the InfoLogis Mauricie organization
The apartment vacancy rate of less than 1% is of course a factor to be taken into account. But the rising cost of living also complicates the picture.
“This increase is drastic. We have a wage increase, but it is not balanced. And there is no indexation of social assistance benefits that would allow families to get housing they can afford,” adds Ms. Jalette.
While it is difficult to count the people living on the streets, their larger presence is easy to observe. And not just in Trois-Rivières. Even in smaller communities there are more homeless people. The MRC of Maskinongé is an example.
“We are seeing an increase,” confirms Karine Trahan, director general of the Homelessness Squad. “I would say that between 15 and 20 people live in the camps: in tents, trailers that no longer drive, in cars or outside. Just last week we received a call from people mentioning the presence of three people sleeping on land. Of the three, I have two workers who find themselves on the street. They cannot find affordable housing. Renting $1,200 a month for a single person is impossible!”
The Maskinongé MRC has been facing a housing shortage for several years. Rising rents and the influx of citizens from the region do not mean that the situation is expected to improve.
“There is housing available, but it is not affordable. People have rented overpriced apartments that they cannot afford and are being evicted. Four and a half for $1,000 or $1,200 a month, that’s impossible. Even for two adults earning slightly above minimum wage, it’s difficult. This is worrying for single people. We have been very busy since July 1st and that is no reason to calm down for the winter.”
— Karine Trahan, Director General of the Homelessness Squad
The MRC of Maskinongé expects to receive the report on a housing study commissioned by the firm Raymond Chabot Grant Thornton around mid-September.
More social housing
Claude Jalette is clear: Quebec needs to focus on more social housing to stem this crisis. We would need 5,000 more social housing units for Mauricie alone.
“We have a need for 17,000 social housing units in Quebec. A thousand were delivered this year. There were consultations with the organizations. Mr. Legault [François, le premier ministre] knows that we need to do more for social housing and affordable housing. But the problem with the Coalition Avenir Québec is that they are pushing it back into the private sector. It would require more HLM. The current crisis is causing the owners to lose out. The private sector does not have the same interest as a government institution. “This comes from a government that does not prioritize social values,” says Ms. Jalette, who also laments the decline in the number of dormitories, an affordable solution for many people.
The housing crisis is an issue that worries the Quebec government, replies Jean Boulet. However, the deputy for Trois-Rivières and regional minister points out that this issue must bring together all partners in the region. And that’s exactly what his colleague France-Élaine Duranceau succeeds in, he says. The minister responsible for housing shall consult and collaborate with the Union of Municipalities of Quebec and the Fédération québécoise des municipalities to present a housing action plan with concrete solutions.
“I react extremely sensitively to the situation. The crisis is spreading across North America. Governments, cities, community organizations, the private sector, everyone must get involved. Housing construction will be accelerated with the involvement of all partners. This requires consultation.”
— Jean Boulet, MP for Trois-Rivières, Minister of Labor and Regional Minister
Jean Boulet says he fully agrees with the increase in the number of low-rent apartments. Recalling that his government has supported various housing projects for female victims of violence (Maison de Connivence) and for people with Alzheimer’s disease (Maison Carpe Diem), the current construction of 179 student accommodations at the corner of Jean-XXIII and Récollets is a Another project, supported in particular by Quebec, will be able to accommodate around 200 students. All this will help reduce the pressure on current housing construction, says the Labor Minister, who, together with management and trade union parties, is looking for ways to build better, cheaper and faster.
“It is a work that is done gradually. It won’t fix the problem overnight.”
Karine Trahan also believes that the Maskinongé MRC should focus on more houses and one-and-a-half-bedroom apartments to provide an affordable option for people living alone.
Same problem for students
The lack of housing obviously affects all citizens from outside who settle in Mauricie to study, and UQTR is no exception to this reality.
“With less than 1% of housing available, families and workers are struggling to find housing. The same applies to students.”
— Jean-François Hinse, spokesman for the University of Quebec in Trois-Rivières.
The latter mentions that before the pandemic, a foreign student arrived at UQTR in early September to complete his registration. He then made his way through the neighborhood on foot and found accommodation.
These days it is strongly recommended that you find accommodation before arriving for the fall session. And that accommodation may be a shared apartment or room in an area that requires the student to travel other than walking.