Twenty-one families in Trois-Rivières were still homeless on Monday following the moving period. Added to this are nine families who lost everything in a fire that occurred overnight from Saturday to Sunday.
“Fires like that should not happen too often. We don’t know where to relocate them,” said Claude Durand, president of InfoLogis Mauricie.
The fire still considered suspicious destroyed two buildings near the city center. Most of the families would have taken refuge with relatives.
“It could be that some people, after a few days, call on our services. They will be looking for accommodation. You should know that the number of missing dwellings in the region is estimated at around 1,100,” said Mr. Durand.
At less than 1%, the housing vacancy rate has never been so low. According to the latest available data from the Municipal Housing Office of Trois-Rivières, fourteen families are currently staying with relatives and two are being cared for by the Red Cross.
Housing prices have also jumped considerably. Moreover, to limit increases in housing, several organizations are asking the City of Trois-Rivières to create a register of housing prices. Such a tool would require landlords to make rental prices public.
On Tuesday evening, city councilors will discuss adopting a housing price register. A rally in support of the register will be held a few minutes before the public meeting at Champlain Park.