Montreal has finally issued a demolition permit to real estate giant Mondev, which will be able to raze the building housing the former Da Giovanni restaurant located opposite Place Émilie-Gamelin in order to build a 16-story housing tower. Following this decision, the sole tenant of the building to be demolished received an eviction notice.
The Mondev real estate project had been blocked for months due to the stubborn refusal of the tenant, Carla White, to leave her modest accommodation with a monthly rent of $400. The developer had tried to reach an agreement with her by offering her $20,000 as well as another accommodation, but without success.
It was accommodation that did not meet the needs of the tenant, according to the latter, who deplored Duty in recent months for not having been offered another apartment by the developer, who manages numerous rental buildings in the metropolis. “They make my life a living hell,” proclaims Mme White, in reference to Mondev managers.
The demolition certificate would have been issued on March 27, and the same day, the tenant of a certain age received a visit from a bailiff, who gave her an eviction notice ordering her to vacate her accommodation on 30 June, within three months, learned The duty.
“I’m going to be homeless,” says Carla White with apprehension, who lived in homelessness for years, wandering from one homeless shelter to another, until she found her in 2013 the apartment where she has lived ever since. She now fears that she will not be able to find another apartment that meets her means, in the midst of a housing crisis. “What are my options? Where am I going to go? » she asks.
Three months’ rent
Under the provisions of the Law on Development and Urban Planning (LAU) — since it is a demolition and the rules of the Administrative Housing Tribunal (TAL) do not apply — the tenant will receive the equivalent of three months’ rent as well as an amount to pay for moving expenses.
“I have to leave or I will go to prison or a homeless shelter,” fears Mme White, who led an arduous battle before the TAL in recent years, first to retain her right to stay in the premises, then to ask to be rehoused, in vain.
Attorney Manuel Johnson, who represents Carla White, denounced the city’s decision. “I find it scandalous that the City is authorizing this demolition when nothing has been resolved and a vulnerable tenant is going to be thrown onto the street. For an administration that claims to have the interests of vulnerable tenants at heart, this is deplorable. »
The City could have determined different conditions as compensation for the tenant, since the LAU allows it, but it did not go this route, deplores the lawyer.
” I will not give up “
The City issued a demolition permit because the developer demonstrated that several rehousing options had been offered to the tenant, said Catherine Cadotte, press secretary for Valérie Plante. “We always hope that there is an agreement between the tenant and the developer and that the project can move forward by revitalizing the sector. »
Determined, Carla White intends to appear at the Ville-Marie borough council meeting next Tuesday to voice her concerns to the mayor.
“I will not leave until I get justice, and I will get justice. I’m not going to give up,” assures Mme White, unwavering. “We intend to contest,” confirms Manuel Johnson, without commenting for the moment on the remedies available to his client.
For his part, Mondev co-president Michael Owen maintains that the company put a lot of effort into trying to find common ground with the tenant. “We did everything possible to reach an agreement with Mr.me White. He was offered some money. […] It was always refused. She was offered accommodation at the same price as what she is currently paying. It was refused. It’s unfortunate,” he said.
Mondev plans to undertake the demolition work after the summer season. The construction of the new building, which will include 176 housing units, should take place over a period of up to three years, once the City has granted the necessary permits.