Québec solidaire (QS) is asking the Government of Québec to build more student residences in order to combat the shortage of affordable housing on the private rental market.
The head of the opposition party in terms of Housing, Andrés Fontecilla, notes that the housing crisis is hitting students hard, who very often have to deal with very modest incomes. He observes that there are fewer and fewer large flats for roommates and small affordable flats, which makes it difficult for young people to find suitable housing.
The member for Laurier-Dorion, in Montreal, fears that students will have to end their studies or be affected in their academic success and their mental health. He recalls that currently, barely 8% of the student population can live in residences and that 62% of student tenants earn less than $20,000 per year.
To stimulate construction, QS proposes that the property tax exemption granted for the construction of university residences be extended to all residences at all post-secondary levels, including CEGEPs. According to Andrés Fontecilla, this measure would facilitate the rapid development of student accommodation, particularly in the regions.
The hon. member gives the example of the situation of students in Sherbrooke and Saguenay.
He notes that the costs of the private rental market have exploded in Sherbrooke, where there are two college institutions and two universities, and that the vacancy rate is at its lowest. Student residences are in high demand and there are waiting lists.
Mr. Fontecilla points out that the institutions have their hands tied because they have no access to any program to finance the construction of new residences.
In Saguenay, students report numerous cases of unsanitary conditions, false leases, abusive clauses, illegal security deposits and inflated prices, according to what the QS deputy says. He adds that 27% of university students in Saguenay earn less than $10,000 per year.