The lack of agreement between Ottawa and Quebec on the parameters of a funding program is delaying the construction and renovation of nearly 6,000 social housing units in Montreal.
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Mayor Valérie Plante sent a letter to the Legault government, hoping to move the file forward.
In front of the media on Monday, the main interested party did not hide her bitterness, while dozens of households are still trying to find a place to stay as July 1 approaches.
“Knowing that there are nearly 6,000 housing units that are currently being held hostage is unacceptable,” said Valérie Plante. That’s why we wrote a letter. It’s been four years. At some point, patience always has its limits. Especially, when we know that there are people who do not have access to housing, at the moment, and that [the project] should serve them.
The mayor indicated that the construction of 1,200 housing units is currently blocked due to the lack of government funding. The scenario is the same for 4,000 homes that need to be renovated.
“It is not even a question of knowing where Quebec should put the money, it is an administrative question, lamented Valérie Plante. It’s been four years. I don’t care who the culprit is.”
“I want them to take the time to sit in the same room and come out with a solution,” she added. These are citizens who do not have access to housing. The housing crisis is happening now.”
The Office municipal d’habitation de Montréal (OMHM) will answer questions from the media on Tuesday about Operation July 1, which was set up for the moving period in the city.
