Montreal helps homeless families

Moving day has come and gone, but not everyone in Montreal managed to find a home. 

For many Montrealers, June 30 — the day most leases in the province expire — is a chance to find a better apartment, maybe in a better neighbourhood. For the city's poor families, it's just another day of looking for something they can afford.

"There is still a lack of apartments … in the Montreal area, of apartments that are affordable," said François Saillant, a housing activist with FRAPRU, a local advocacy group. "But there is still a lot of [problems with] housing and we need social housing."  

Rents in Montreal have risen in the last few years, Saillant said, and that means many families find themselves with no place to stay.

This year is no different. The City of Montreal said it has had to find accommodation for nearly two dozen families.

"This year 23 families have been housed," said Alan De Sousa of the city's executive committee, "And we're on call. It's better than in most years, but we're always vigilant." 

Saillant agreed that the city is doing better this year than in previous years, but he remains concerned about those who did find a home. He wonders whether they will keep being able to pay rent every month.