At least 680 households across Quebec are still without permanent homes as of 12pm 1stum According to FRAPRU, there is a risk of having to find emergency shelter in July to avoid being on the streets.
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“In the next few hours, fortunately, households will manage to sign a lease and others who have hoped until the last minute risk increasing the number of households supported,” says Véronique Laflamme, spokeswoman for the Front d Popular Action in Urban redevelopment (FRAPRU).
According to the citizens’ organization, a few hours after July 1, at least 680 tenant households with supervised care are still looking for an apartment.
“It’s still an indicator of how difficult it is for tenants to find housing given the very severe housing shortage and skyrocketing rents,” Ms. Laflamme continues.
Véronique Laflamme, spokeswoman for the Popular Action Front in Urban Redevelopment (FRAPRU). Photo Clara Loiseau
According to FRAPRU, on July 1 last year, 600 tenant households were out on the streets without a lease. Four years earlier, in 2019, there were only 175.
Numbers that move
When asked by Le Journal, the Société d’habitation du Québec (SHQ) could not say how many households would be left without permanent housing tomorrow.
“You will understand that these dates are constantly changing a few hours after July 1st. The joint efforts of housing authorities, municipalities and the SHQ are also focused on ensuring that no household ends up on the street,” media officer Sylvain Fournier said by email on Friday.
However, SHQ said the Housing Offices (OH) network had received 2,346 aid applications that are considered “active” and related to July 1.
Most HOs contacted by Le Journal said they expect the number of households needing help to increase in the coming hours.
Temporary accommodation
“More specifically, according to our latest statistics, there are currently 144 households across Quebec that are being temporarily housed after using our services or those of the housing department,” said SHQ’s Mr. Fournier.
In the Outaouais alone, 107 households are currently homeless, six of them in commercial housing, confirms Alexandre Heroux-Theriault, director general of the Office d’habitation de l’Outaouais.
As of Wednesday, 99 households were still without permanent shelter in Drummondville for the first time. Nineteen households are also currently living in temporary housing, either with family or friends, at campsites or with community organizations, says David Bélanger of Drummond Housing Office.
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