Community organizations welcome the funding offered by the federal government of $308 million to build 1,581 social and affordable housing units in Quebec, but believe that this is not enough to counter the housing crisis.
What there is to know
- The federal government is announcing $308 million in funding that will support the construction of 54 projects totaling 1,581 social and affordable housing units throughout Quebec.
- These sums result from the third agreement between the governments of Canada and Quebec within the framework of the Initiative for the rapid creation of housing (ICRL).
- Women fleeing violence, the elderly, recent immigrants, First Nations people and people with disabilities are among the communities targeted by these new constructions.
“It seems like a lot, but it will not overcome the crisis,” indignant François Roy, coordinator of the organization Logemen’occupy, in Gatineau.
Fifty-four housing projects totaling 1,581 social and affordable housing units, was announced by Ahmed Hussen, Canada’s Minister of Housing and Diversity and Inclusion, together with the Minister responsible for Habitation du Québec, France-Élaine Duranceau, at a press conference in Laval.
Women fleeing violence, the elderly, recent immigrants, First Nations people and people with disabilities are among the communities targeted by these new constructions.
“All those who are homeless must be considered vulnerable people,” argues Véronique Laflamme, spokesperson for the national group for the right to housing, FRAPRU.
At least $57 million will be distributed among the largest cities in the province, namely Quebec, Montreal, Laval, Longueuil and Gatineau.
The players from the various organizations in the field point out that this assistance will not be enough to get out of the housing crisis affecting all of Quebec.
“Even if it is delighted with this announcement, which was eagerly awaited by the community housing sector in Quebec, FRAPRU deplores the slowness with which the federal funds have resulted in concrete projects, i.e. nearly a year and a half, that social housing needs are urgent everywhere in Quebec,” says Véronique Laflamme.
The example of Gatineau
For example, the percentage of rents intended for low-income people is 8% in Gatineau. The vacancy rate is at 0.8%, which plunges the city into an unprecedented housing crisis.
According to information provided by the federal and provincial governments, Gatineau will receive 5.9 million of the $57 million earmarked for major cities in Quebec.
Investments are clearly insufficient. With this sum, we are talking about a few dozen housing units in Gatineau… and in how long?
François Roy, coordinator of the Logemen’Occupy organization
At a press conference, France-Élaine Duranceau mentioned that as of July 7, her department counted 226 Quebec families in temporary accommodation until they find housing.
However, this number would not be representative of all households that are homeless. Friday, Logemen’occupy, an organization that fights for the defense and improvement of housing conditions in the Outaouais, counted 260 homeless households in Gatineau alone.
The Rapid Housing Initiative (ICRL) was launched in 2020. Friday’s announcement is the third phase of this project. “The amounts announced were expected since they were part of an already existing project. Unfortunately, they are not representative of the current crisis, explains Véronique Laflamme. We hope that the targets will be adjusted according to the urgent needs throughout Quebec. The problem is much bigger than the 1600 housing units planned. »