(Montreal) Faced with the multiplication of the number of seniors thrown onto the street by evictions, Québec solidaire is asking the Legault government to broaden the scope of measures aimed at protecting them.
The former solidarity deputy Françoise David, sponsor of a law on this subject which bears her name, was alongside the deputy Andrés Fontecilla and two women subject to threats of eviction to ask for improved protection measures elderly tenants.
The current “Françoise David Law” prevents an owner from evicting seniors aged 70 and over who have occupied their home for at least ten years and whose income is equivalent to the maximum threshold to be eligible for social housing.
At the opening of the detailed study of Bill 31 on Tuesday, Andrés Fontecilla will return to the charge with last February’s solidarity request to lower the age of protection to 65 years, the duration of occupation to five years and to increase the eligible income threshold by 50%.
He argues that these measures would not cost the government a penny and would considerably improve the protection of seniors who, due to the housing crisis, are no longer able to find housing at the same price when they are evicted. As a result, these seniors increasingly find themselves on the street because they cannot find housing or have the means to pay for what is available.