It's a fact: across Quebec, the housing crisis worsened significantly in 2023, and unfortunately, 2024 doesn't look much better. This is cause for concern for Manon Charest, General Manager of the Office régional de l'habitation de Vaudreuil-Soulanges (ORHVS).

"We're experiencing an unprecedented housing crisis. We're trying to meet the needs of our citizens in Vaudreuil-Soulanges by deploying our housing search assistance service. The year 2024 has only just begun, and it promises to be a very busy one," explained Manon Charest in an interview with Néomédia.

Last January, the Tribunal administratif du logement (TLA) announced the adjustment rates on which apartment building owners must base their rent increases. Thus, for July 2024, tenants can expect a 4% increase for an electrically heated dwelling.  

"If landlords have made renovations, if their taxes have gone up, if they've renewed their mortgage, it's possible that the increase will be higher. They're supposed to stick to this schedule, but they can ask the TAL for authorization to increase by more than 4%, while demonstrating that it's justifiable," adds the general manager.

Currently in Vaudreuil-Soulanges, for a 3 1/2, a tenant can expect to pay $1,312 per month. "That's the market price. Yes, there are landlords who rent for $650 a month. But right now, what's available on the market is $1,312," says Manon Charest. For a 4 1/2, monthly payments vary between $1,500 and $1,700, and for a 5 1/2, the average is $2,300. "These are the prices before the increase scheduled for July. And there aren't any 5 1/2s, 6 1/2s or 7 1/2s in the region."

"This is the third year of inflated prices. People have taken apartments that they're having trouble paying for. I have a feeling that this year, it's going to blow up," added Marie-Ève Brisson, project manager with ORHVS. 

Another factor that may explain the current crisis, according to Ms. Brisson, is the price of houses. "Before, around the age of 24 or 25, people would start looking to buy a house and become homeowners.  Today, with house prices becoming unaffordable, young people are staying in their apartment longer. This creates a shortage of rental housing. It's a reality we're experiencing."

Families hardest hit

"The economic situation is giving us the perfect storm, with the cost of materials, labor and interest rates, among other things. There's nothing simple about it. On average, people are currently spending 50%, 60% and even more of their income on housing. How much does that leave for food, school supplies, clothing, medicine, repairs, electricity? When we look at that, we're really worried," continues Manon Charest.

According to the ORHVS executive director, families are the main victims of the housing crisis. "They're experiencing a lot of «renovictions» on the part of landlords, and there aren't any offers of 5 1/2, 6 1/2 or 7 1/2 units. It's the same throughout the MRC. Whether you're in Rigaud, Saint-Zotique, Les Coteaux or Vaudreuil-Dorion, it's the same thing. In 2023, we had to put up families and parents with young children in hotels because they were evicted by their landlords for all sorts of reasons. All year long, we've had people staying in hotels," she laments.

And if there are offers, they have to be reasonably priced. "If you think about women who are victims of violence or couples who want to separate, often these women stay in their homes and endure things they shouldn't, because they can't find a place to live. Paying $1,500 or $1,600 rent on a single salary doesn't work. The challenge is anything but simple," adds Ms. Charest. 

Immigration also plays an important role in the crisis currently facing not only Vaudreuil-Soulages, but the country as a whole. "Many immigrants come here wanting to live with grandpa, grandma, brothers and sisters. We don't have the housing to accommodate these people," says the general manager, adding that the situation also affects large families and blended families. "Finally, we realize that it's not just the most vulnerable people who are affected, but everyone. It's really worrying," she adds. 

The need to raise awareness

While the housing crisis can be attributed to a number of factors outside tenants' control, the fact remains that tenants also have certain responsibilities, and for Manon Charest, it's clear that awareness-raising is essential. 

"We have to make people aware that before they cancel their lease, they have to sign another one elsewhere. They also need to understand that, like landlords, they have rights and responsibilities as tenants. They can consult the "Mon logement, mes droits" platform to find out about their rights and obligations.

People don't think, when they go to the TAL, that if they don't pay their rent and get evicted, it will be much harder afterwards to find a landlord who will want to trust them. People need to show their credentials as much as possible. They have to act upstream and be more proactive," reminds the General Manager. 

Housing search assistance service

For some time now, the ORHVS has been offering the public service d’aide à la recherche d’un logement (SARL). Entirely free of charge, the SARL is intended as an assistance service for the entire population, all classes included.  

In fact, a housing search tool is available on the ORHVS website (orhvs.ca) in the Housing Search section.

"It's really important for everyone to know that this service isn't just for vulnerable people. It's available to everyone. Our goal with SARL is to redirect people to the right search platforms. We're not here with a housing bank or to make connections. We're here to assist people in their search," concludes Marie-Ève Brisson.

To find out more about the services offered by the Office régional d'habitation de Vaudreuil-Soulanges, visit orhvs.ca.

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