The number of homeless people is exploding, we learned last week. And third among the causes explaining the loss of housing is insufficient income.
This chart could be called “The Housing Crisis at a Glance.” It shows why those at the bottom of the ladder can no longer find housing.
Between 2014 and 2022, rents for a studio and a one-bedroom apartment in Montreal have exploded by 38% and 39% respectively. The progression of the social assistance check during the same period? Exactly half as much, or 19%.
We are then surprised that those at the bottom of the scale are no longer able to pay the rent and find themselves on the street. Yes, there is subsidized housing for welfare recipients. But according to tenant advocacy groups, there are insufficient numbers to meet the needs. And if rents for occupied apartments are skyrocketing, those that are vacant are even more expensive.
By compiling tens of thousands of housing advertisements on Kijiji, the Regroupement des Comités logement et associations de tenants du Québec calculates that the average monthly rent for an available one-bedroom apartment will reach $1,282 in Montreal in 2023. is $562 more than the welfare check!
When will “social well-being” be adapted to today’s reality?