The long waiting lists in the residences of higher education establishments are pushing Minister France-Élaine Duranceau to provide for amendments to her housing bill.
In interview with The dutyMme Duranceau said he was well aware of the growing inability of CEGEPs to house students, particularly in the regions.
It has also failed to deal with the problem in Bill 31 that it has just tabled on evictions and assignments of leases.
“It could have been in this iteration of the bill, but it will be amended in the fall because there were still checks to be done. »
The amendment will allow residences intended for CEGEP students to have access to municipal tax credits as is the case for universities.
According to the organization UTILE, which works in the field, the lack of property tax exemption is “a real obstacle to the creation of non-profit student housing in college towns”.
The minister also wants to modify the law to allow CEGEP residences to rent accommodation during the summer season, which is not allowed everywhere.
Asked about the consequences of the housing shortage on international recruitment, Ms.me Duranceau agrees that’s a big deal.
“It’s the chicken or the egg that case. In Abitibi, in Rimouski, there are universities that have programs to serve certain industries. But there, there are no accommodations to accommodate these students. »
Universities concerned
As for the Université du Québec (UQ) network, the waiting lists for their student residences number hundreds of people in Trois-Rivières, Chicoutimi, Abitibi-Témiscamingue and Québec. “We have an extremely significant shortage, says Charles Nadeau, vice-president of administration at UQ. This year, it is accelerating even more”.
He met with Minister Duranceau last week along with UQ president Alexandre Cloutier. An exploratory “first contact” with the minister, “to make her aware” of this reality. “We will come back to him with a more detailed portrait of needs by region,” he said.
The UQ estimates that the needs amount to 6,000 beds. Three residency projects are at a more advanced stage, but they are far from meeting demand. “The reception from the main departments concerned has been positive,” insists Charles Nadeau. In the latest budgetary rules, there is a program for university residences, but these are not large sums and this will not solve everything”.
Expansions pending
Beyond the tax measures, Minister Duranceau says she is open to the idea of funding more student housing in the future. “I see student accommodation in the same way as the other types of accommodation I deal with. »
Therefore, the new affordable housing program (the PHAQ) will have to receive more student projects “then we do others with other partners,” she added.
The government will soon inaugurate a 160-seat university residence in Trois-Rivières, funded through a partnership with the Mouvement Desjardins.
While waiting for government assistance, CEGEPs are trying all sorts of formulas.
In Gaspé, the cégep decided to renovate an old wing of the residence which had previously been ceded to the City for lack of students. The section, which had been converted into office space, will be able to offer 50 more places, but not before 2025.
In Rimouski, too, the Cégep plans to expand the residence “by fitting out ten additional rooms in rooms currently not used”, indicates its spokesperson.
In Sherbrooke, the CEGEP is taking steps to acquire a new student residence, “but without success so far”.
In Drummondville, the CEGEP says it has approached a few real estate developers in recent months. “Some have shown an openness,” said his spokesperson, Julie Dubois. “Cégep de Drummondville is in action. But it is clear that the issue is more present than ever. »
Beyond the wait for a place in residence, we must also take into account the CEGEPs which do not even have one, indicated to the Duty Outaouais Cegep. They are 5000 young people to frequent it, in a region where the vacancy rate is at 0.8%.
In Shawinigan either, there is no CEGEP residence. Same thing in Saint-Hyacinthe, in Lanaudière, at the Cégep de Granby or in Alma.