I
PREAMBLE
Hello, My
name is Cheryl Ann Dagenais, coordinator, and I represent the Committee housing assistance to tenants, a group of advocacy. We thank you for inviting us to talk about our organization and the social housing component.
In our 11th year of operation, our primary aim is to provide tenants with information on their rights through education People so that they can assert and enforce these rights by the various authorities against the current. We also have the mission to promote and bring out the development of social housing projects that meet the needs of the community according to their financial capabilities.
You realize quickly when those needs and the daily "for months" became a nightmare. Under these conditions, the well-being and family are being undermined with all the consequences of bio-psycho-social inherent.
The need to be housed properly is fundamental. Through dedicated and determined, we can maintain a strong organization which has as its primary objective to restore social justice in terms of accessibility for all to live in a decent and safe.
Together we will reach our goals!
II HISTORY OF THE COMMITTEE ON HOUSING ASSISTANCE TO TENANTS
At a roundtable fight against poverty in the former City of Sainte-Foy in 1995, there were people from from all backgrounds. Fund manager's wealth to a single parent in poverty! The question was "How households out of poverty."
Both low-income households have spoken loud and clear that basic needs, including housing, Sapping nearly 80% of their income. ... They denounced the lack of social housing and that housing was longer considered a basic need but had turned into a commodity!
For most of these good people in affluent, low-income households were people who were not sure how to organize and that social housing was synonymous with "ghetto" ... .... "Prejudices on social housing, there was everywhere in this former town!
The years 1996 until after the municipal elections of November 2001 were moments of intense struggle and debate in the old Hotel de Ville de Sainte-Foy. Even an African, one of the applicants of the cooperative housing corporation, is denounced in full session the lack of civic democracy that prevailed there and demanded social justice for all citizens! Yet the need for housing grew more and more!
In fall 1999, a group of women decided to bring out a housing committee. The analysis of community needs in Western National Capital was already existed and with support groups in Housing Centre Toronto, "the Housing Committee, Development and Women" was established and is 3 March 2000 that the organization is legally constituted. Since 2002, the organization has the name "Committee housing assistance to tenants" to reach all tenants.
But to achieve our goals, the day after the municipal elections of 2001, we had the green light to development projects of social housing. The housing committee has given rise to 172 units (4 co-ops for families and individuals, either A Roof cooperatives to you, the merits, spreading, the Pointe de Sainte-Foy and NPOs for persons aged 55 and over). Currently the agency is working on a project of sixty units of housing under the Key to a Dream Cooperative. This project will set up shop as soon as we have found common ground.
We are a participating member of the group FRAPRU (Popular Action Front in urban renewal) and our major demand from governments is that they invest heavily in a major project of social housing. We had some gains but the current budgets of the last two levels of government clearly indicate that they have no desire to meet this demand. We'll talk later ...
III
REALITY inadequate housing (SONG)
I am homeless, I
m'retrouve in street
I sleep well hidden in an alley next to my
'next
Not better than me because she seems very
sick I need a social housing (bis)
my rent too expensive could pay
J'pouvais
My children are DYP
Itinerant
despite myself I'm crying my children
Before falling asleep
I need a social housing (bis)
If only our governments took their responsibilities
s'rais I do not visit there
I have a roof over my Family
OF l'argent for food
Dressing with leisure
Give me a social housing (bis)
IV
THE PORTRAIT OF HOUSEHOLDS
Nationally, according to census statistics Canada in 2006, there were more than 206.000 households providing more than half their income on housing.
metropolitan area (CMA) of Quebec has 130,840 renter households of 1259455 of the Province of Quebec (1), a little over 10%. All types of homes combined, the vacancy rate in the Québec CMA was 0.4%, while that of Quebec is 2.2% (3). Thus, very few homes are vacant.
a population of 72,000 inhabitants, there are 14 115 households in the borough Sainte-Foy/Sillery/Cap-Rouge tenants. And the vacancy rate is even lower than that reported for the CMA of Quebec is 0.3% [1] . The housing shortage strikes again ... However, the rate of vacancies should normally be within 3% [2] . It moves away considerably.
Renters Sainte-Foy/Sillery to have median annual income $ 32 100 and median monthly rent for $ 645. Of these, 5315 represents more than 30% of their annual income on housing. It is not nothing, almost 65% of all renters of the borough (4). Peeling the housing statistics, it is possible to see that this district does is not just people at ease as would imply a certain "belief". Poverty is there ... At
least, the numbers speak to us in that direction. Households spend more than 30%, 50% and even 80% of their income on housing. Yes, 1 235 households and over 80% put all the dollars they earn each year just on housing. Conclusion: renters clearly need support. A possible solution is obviously to increase the supply of social housing.
Deeper ... women, singles and seniors
PREAMBLE
Hello, My
name is Cheryl Ann Dagenais, coordinator, and I represent the Committee housing assistance to tenants, a group of advocacy. We thank you for inviting us to talk about our organization and the social housing component.
In our 11th year of operation, our primary aim is to provide tenants with information on their rights through education People so that they can assert and enforce these rights by the various authorities against the current. We also have the mission to promote and bring out the development of social housing projects that meet the needs of the community according to their financial capabilities.
You realize quickly when those needs and the daily "for months" became a nightmare. Under these conditions, the well-being and family are being undermined with all the consequences of bio-psycho-social inherent.
The need to be housed properly is fundamental. Through dedicated and determined, we can maintain a strong organization which has as its primary objective to restore social justice in terms of accessibility for all to live in a decent and safe.
Together we will reach our goals!
II HISTORY OF THE COMMITTEE ON HOUSING ASSISTANCE TO TENANTS
At a roundtable fight against poverty in the former City of Sainte-Foy in 1995, there were people from from all backgrounds. Fund manager's wealth to a single parent in poverty! The question was "How households out of poverty."
Both low-income households have spoken loud and clear that basic needs, including housing, Sapping nearly 80% of their income. ... They denounced the lack of social housing and that housing was longer considered a basic need but had turned into a commodity!
For most of these good people in affluent, low-income households were people who were not sure how to organize and that social housing was synonymous with "ghetto" ... .... "Prejudices on social housing, there was everywhere in this former town!
The years 1996 until after the municipal elections of November 2001 were moments of intense struggle and debate in the old Hotel de Ville de Sainte-Foy. Even an African, one of the applicants of the cooperative housing corporation, is denounced in full session the lack of civic democracy that prevailed there and demanded social justice for all citizens! Yet the need for housing grew more and more!
In fall 1999, a group of women decided to bring out a housing committee. The analysis of community needs in Western National Capital was already existed and with support groups in Housing Centre Toronto, "the Housing Committee, Development and Women" was established and is 3 March 2000 that the organization is legally constituted. Since 2002, the organization has the name "Committee housing assistance to tenants" to reach all tenants.
But to achieve our goals, the day after the municipal elections of 2001, we had the green light to development projects of social housing. The housing committee has given rise to 172 units (4 co-ops for families and individuals, either A Roof cooperatives to you, the merits, spreading, the Pointe de Sainte-Foy and NPOs for persons aged 55 and over). Currently the agency is working on a project of sixty units of housing under the Key to a Dream Cooperative. This project will set up shop as soon as we have found common ground.
We are a participating member of the group FRAPRU (Popular Action Front in urban renewal) and our major demand from governments is that they invest heavily in a major project of social housing. We had some gains but the current budgets of the last two levels of government clearly indicate that they have no desire to meet this demand. We'll talk later ...
III
REALITY inadequate housing (SONG)
I am homeless, I
m'retrouve in street
I sleep well hidden in an alley next to my
'next
Not better than me because she seems very
sick I need a social housing (bis)
my rent too expensive could pay
J'pouvais
My children are DYP
Itinerant
despite myself I'm crying my children
Before falling asleep
I need a social housing (bis)
If only our governments took their responsibilities
s'rais I do not visit there
I have a roof over my Family
OF l'argent for food
Dressing with leisure
Give me a social housing (bis)
IV
THE PORTRAIT OF HOUSEHOLDS
Nationally, according to census statistics Canada in 2006, there were more than 206.000 households providing more than half their income on housing.
metropolitan area (CMA) of Quebec has 130,840 renter households of 1259455 of the Province of Quebec (1), a little over 10%. All types of homes combined, the vacancy rate in the Québec CMA was 0.4%, while that of Quebec is 2.2% (3). Thus, very few homes are vacant.
a population of 72,000 inhabitants, there are 14 115 households in the borough Sainte-Foy/Sillery/Cap-Rouge tenants. And the vacancy rate is even lower than that reported for the CMA of Quebec is 0.3% [1] . The housing shortage strikes again ... However, the rate of vacancies should normally be within 3% [2] . It moves away considerably.
Renters Sainte-Foy/Sillery to have median annual income $ 32 100 and median monthly rent for $ 645. Of these, 5315 represents more than 30% of their annual income on housing. It is not nothing, almost 65% of all renters of the borough (4). Peeling the housing statistics, it is possible to see that this district does is not just people at ease as would imply a certain "belief". Poverty is there ... At
least, the numbers speak to us in that direction. Households spend more than 30%, 50% and even 80% of their income on housing. Yes, 1 235 households and over 80% put all the dollars they earn each year just on housing. Conclusion: renters clearly need support. A possible solution is obviously to increase the supply of social housing.
Deeper ... women, singles and seniors
At Sainte-Foy/Sillery, we see first that were still women who are most disadvantaged and who seem to enjoy support measures and support for the rent in some cases.
Here we show the figures from Statistics Canada in its 2006 census. In the borough, 7,455 renter households main financial support for a woman. They have as median annual income $ 28 695 and median monthly rent as $ 640. Among them, 42.3% and 30% required to give more of their income on housing. That's almost $ 8 000 cost of rent per year to a minimum.
However, it is important to add the 21.4% who pay over 50% and 9.6% spending more than 80% for rent. (1)
Otherwise, there are 6,665 renter households mainly financially supported by men. They have a median annual income higher than women, but also have a higher median monthly rent. Specifically, 32.4% of those households whose main income earner is a man, pay their owners 30% or more of their income, while 15.5% give more than 50% and 7.7% contribution 80% or more of their income. (4)
Returning to the article in the Black Dossier FRAPRU (2009) is "a little better for families, not for individuals" [3] . This also applies to tenants Sainte-Foy/Sillery. Of the 815 families parent of our district 22.1%, 8.6% and 3.7% respectively 30% grant, 50% and 80% or more of their income on rent.
If you can see that the situation of single parent families has improved, this does not prevent single people, they, in turn, need financial assistance or low-income housing. The 7570 people of the borough tenants living alone, with a median annual income of $ 24,516 and a median monthly rent of about $ 600, provide for 20.6% of them, over 50% of their income to afford a roof. Add to that a 12.8% spending more than 80% of their income and 47.5% provide over 30% of their income to pay for their homes. (4)
As noted in the article "A little better for families, not for individuals, these do not qualify for the Quebec program "shelter allowance" before the age of 55 years, which makes them far "the great forgotten government policies" [4] .
However, the majority of renters can be found however in the age group 18-54 years, making a total of 8920 households. Relatively speaking, it seems they have as much difficulty that our elders to make ends meet. Thus, for the age group 18-54 years, 10.1% of them, 900 tenant households provide 80% or more of their annual income to the owner. (4) If
must dwell on the reality of our seniors, 3295 renter households comprised of persons 65 and over our district, we can only observe the proportion of those giving 30% or more of their income for a home, either 49.5%. Seniors, obliged to devote 50% or more of their income, are a little over 18%. (4)
Students
Here we show the figures from Statistics Canada in its 2006 census. In the borough, 7,455 renter households main financial support for a woman. They have as median annual income $ 28 695 and median monthly rent as $ 640. Among them, 42.3% and 30% required to give more of their income on housing. That's almost $ 8 000 cost of rent per year to a minimum.
However, it is important to add the 21.4% who pay over 50% and 9.6% spending more than 80% for rent. (1)
Otherwise, there are 6,665 renter households mainly financially supported by men. They have a median annual income higher than women, but also have a higher median monthly rent. Specifically, 32.4% of those households whose main income earner is a man, pay their owners 30% or more of their income, while 15.5% give more than 50% and 7.7% contribution 80% or more of their income. (4)
Returning to the article in the Black Dossier FRAPRU (2009) is "a little better for families, not for individuals" [3] . This also applies to tenants Sainte-Foy/Sillery. Of the 815 families parent of our district 22.1%, 8.6% and 3.7% respectively 30% grant, 50% and 80% or more of their income on rent.
If you can see that the situation of single parent families has improved, this does not prevent single people, they, in turn, need financial assistance or low-income housing. The 7570 people of the borough tenants living alone, with a median annual income of $ 24,516 and a median monthly rent of about $ 600, provide for 20.6% of them, over 50% of their income to afford a roof. Add to that a 12.8% spending more than 80% of their income and 47.5% provide over 30% of their income to pay for their homes. (4)
As noted in the article "A little better for families, not for individuals, these do not qualify for the Quebec program "shelter allowance" before the age of 55 years, which makes them far "the great forgotten government policies" [4] .
However, the majority of renters can be found however in the age group 18-54 years, making a total of 8920 households. Relatively speaking, it seems they have as much difficulty that our elders to make ends meet. Thus, for the age group 18-54 years, 10.1% of them, 900 tenant households provide 80% or more of their annual income to the owner. (4) If
must dwell on the reality of our seniors, 3295 renter households comprised of persons 65 and over our district, we can only observe the proportion of those giving 30% or more of their income for a home, either 49.5%. Seniors, obliged to devote 50% or more of their income, are a little over 18%. (4)
Students
The other category in the borough, it is the students. There are about 10 000 in our sector, which brings us to around 82 000 population (statistics master plan redevelopment of the Covenant Myrand). With both the university and CEGEP, he is certain that these students are a significant part to the coexistence in 41 / 2 and 51 / 2. They are also found in the room or in residence at the university.
Moreover, the redevelopment plan Pact Myrand 2008 "discussed the development of cooperatives housing to 50% for the student category single person and family.
Immigrants
There growing needs of large student housing immigrants, family class, and it is in the University City neighborhood that one identifies the highest rate of immigrants or 1935 (data CSSS November 2008). These households know little about the rights of the civil code and they often will not contest for fear of reprisals. There are plenty of popular education to do with them.
Aboriginals: deplorable housing conditions :
Black Dossier FRAPRU Housing and poverty in Quebec: Figures and faces
January 2009 The Canadian census is certainly not the best tool to get an accurate picture of living conditions in Native communities, several of them refused to cooperate. A recent report produced on behalf of the Assembly of First Nations of Quebec and Labrador, however, tells us more on that subject.
Of 12,593 homes in these communities, 2419, 19.2% need major renovations, while others require 2282 minor renovations or repairs. In addition, 1,721 homes suffer from problems of contamination, elevated in 38% of cases. As if this were not enough, 4209 is currently overcrowded dwellings, representing 33.4% of the total. To address this problem, but also for other necessities such as population growth and migration of Aboriginal people who can not currently live in their communities, an estimated 8,800 new housing need for the next five years. Finally, 7,302 lots are poorly served by infrastructure.
The 2006 census tells us that by cons, about 9,565 homes in rural Inuit (Inuit Nunaat), no fewer than 45,335 are in need of renovation, representing 47.4% of the total.
Not better off community
What the census allows us to glimpse, is the reality of 74,290 people reporting Aboriginal identity (2), but living outside their community. In this case, 19% of people live in homes requiring major repairs, this percentage is 27.0% when they live in rural areas and 13.8% in urban areas.
These figures do not include obviously another problem affecting Aboriginal people living in urban areas, that of homelessness.
A survey conducted in autumn 2007 by the TVA television network allowed him to assert that the number of Aboriginal and Inuit people living in homelessness in downtown Montreal had doubled in ten years. The Native Friendship Centre of Montreal puts the figure at 500, adding that these people are mostly struggling with serious problems of alcoholism and addiction. The assertion is so believable that it was taken over by the city of Montreal itself in a paper on homelessness presented to the Parliamentary Commission Social Affairs, September 29, 2008.
(Gaston Saint-Pierre and associates inc., The housing needs of First Nations of Quebec and Labrador 2000 and 2006) Secretariat of the Assembly of First Nations of Quebec and Labrador).
Homeless
Regarding the situation of homelessness, the number of women in shelters has doubled in the last ten years according to the RAIIQ (group of homeless and itinerant Quebec document Spiral 2008).
What is difficult in homelessness is part of the census the number of homeless people being since they do not all go to shelters.
Some of these people will continue living with an abusive partner, others are walking in makeshift shelters, and there is even an older lady who walks her children to turn the last 4 years. All this so they do not end up directly in the street ... ....
Moreover, nearly 32 households whose main support is a woman have used our services in 2009. Most of these women are victims of domestic violence and want more than anything affordable and secure a roof over their head in order to regain stability and better living conditions.
Again ...
The portrait is painted of renters, but what they look their homes? So we said the Black Dossier FRAPRU, the housing stock in Quebec's aging and deteriorating. Besides "owners' associations also recognize the magnitude of the problems of housing quality, but in unison they blame the current method of setting rents in Quebec, particularly given the adjustment for major work, which discourages in their view, the proper maintenance of homes. [5] "Whatever
Who's to blame. The problem is still there and seems to be improving. Thus, in 2001 in the province of Quebec, 280 180 homes were found to require minor repairs, while in 2006, 325,900 units in need. That's an increase of 3.3%.
That same year, about 111,710 homes rented in the province of Quebec, 8.9% need major repairs (3).
The proportions are similar in our area: 25.2% (3555 units) of housing for renters require minor repairs and 6.2% (880 dwellings) repairs major. (4)
short, in Sainte-Foy/Sillery/Cap-Rouge, too many people still are paying a substantial portion, if not staggering, their income for housing properly. People believe that in our district, there is no poverty! It is clear that it is increasingly present even if it is hidden!
References:
(1) Statistics Canada. (2006). Census 2006. In a special order FRAPRU (2008). Table on the rate of effort renters in 2006 housing affordability. 1p.
(2) CMHC. (2008). Rental Market Reports, CMA Quebec Tables 1.1.1 & 1.1.2, p.11.
(3) Statistics Canada. (2001 & 2006). Census 2001 & 2006. & CMHC. (2000 & 2005). Rental Market Reports 2000 & 2005. In FRAPRU. (2009). Black File 2009; Housing and poverty in the province of Quebec. 2p.
(4) Statistics Canada. (2006). Census 2006. & CMHC. (2005 & 2008). Rental Market Reports. In a special order FRAPRU. (2009). Black File 2009; Housing and poverty in the borough Sainte-Foy/Sillery. 1p.
(5) People's Action Front on Urban Redevelopment & Study Group and action areas. (January 2009). Folder black housing and poverty in Quebec; figures and faces. 19 p.
V
SHELTER ALLOWANCE PROGRAM collapsed
This program is unknown since 1997 and has always been doubly discriminated against single people below the age of 55 and 55 years and older.
The decree adopted by the Council of Ministers on July 7 and will enter into force on 1 October brings only minor adjustments to the program whose main parameters have not been reviewed since its introduction there are 13 years. As he made in 2008 and 2009, the Government merely to index the maximum income for accessing the program, as well as the maximum rent at which the beneficiaries do not receive government assistance. However, for the third consecutive year, the singles are not even eligible for such indexing.
When single people under 55, they are not entitled to housing benefit and when they are over 55 and can receive assistance, we do not give them the same benefits that other household categories. Thus, for individuals, the maximum rent covered by the program will remain at $ 428 per month in 2011, exactly the same amount as in 1998 when the program began. However, during the 2006 census, the average rent paid by people in Quebec alone was already $ 574 per month.
However, if the scale of income eligibility for individuals ($ 16,480) had been indexed to the poverty line is recognized 21,000, there would be only that more households have access to this program. That is a fact that does not correspond to reality today.
This program collapses while households in need. This will never be a comprehensive and sustainable social housing, but as for households that receive it, it can mean a grocery cart over.
The government must do the update while indexing the income and rental costs to the current reality.
VI
GOVERNMENTS
Federal :
Regarding the federal government, there are unprecedented reversals! In 1994 he decided to stop investing in social housing. Since that time, there is lack of more than 50,000 social housing in Quebec. The amount
he has granted in Quebec during the last budget is around 89 million for housing, which represents around 240 units of social housing in Quebec! We demand that the federal reinvest 1% of its budget for social housing when we know there are billions of dollars into the coffers of sleep CMHC (Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation).
Moreover, the agreement for public housing subsidized by the federal government coming in and the tenants in these buildings will be overnight to pay the full cost of their rent. Most of these households there will not be able to pay skyrocketing, what will happen there with these households in these buildings? Where will they go? Will it tend to turn these buildings to the private market?
In addition, the federal government wants to remove the long form (one in five) of Statistics Canada, how can we measure and analyze the reality and habits of Canadians?
And yet, the removal of the gun registry, a tool for public safety unless ... ..
Regarding the environment, it really is not a model!
So we can say that in the crosshairs of federal there is less democratic and less able to protect the environment. As there are more cons of surveillance and control as well as more farms using our natural resources to multinationals and not redistributed to the people!
Provincial :
During the last provincial budget the government announced that 3,000 units of housing for the next 5 years. Yet at the last election the Prime Minister had made a commitment to build 3,000 units per year for social 5 years. He did not keep this commitment! A gain! (December 20, 2010, the Minister Lessard made a commitment to social housing 3.000 per year for the next 5 years).
That's the design of the second plan to fight poverty! The needs are pressing and substantial in all four corners of Quebec. When Statistics Canada census of 2006, 203,000 renter households spent more Quebecois than half of their income on housing. With the economic crisis and shortage of low rent housing many households simply can no longer pay their rent.
The current government fails to meet the needs for measures that would increase personal income poorest. Not only did he abandon the fight against poverty, rising rates of Hydro-Quebec and is taxing your health!
This fall, we follow suit in the ranks of FRAPRU to claim 50,000 new housing units in five years!
Other Folder:
In terms of households at risk or homeless, the government did not grant money to municipalities for the implementation of emergency measures. The load is up to municipalities to manage this situation. If the SHQ
must pay in the implementation of emergency measures it has its say it must cut elsewhere.
Here in Quebec, we identified thirty households in need and a single household, class "special case", was entitled to emergency accommodation (OMHQ Statistics, August 2010). The assistance provided by our municipality was minimal with very strict criteria. This means that some households have found housing in the private sector, housing cooperatives, or they find themselves in overcrowded conditions.
One of the problems found is to spot low-income households with rented housing within their means too much to not be in the street. Except that one time, the rent is catching up! Moreover, the Régie has identified about 11,000 cases of nonpayment of rent in Quebec. The number of households in this situation continues to grow year after year.
Thus, we realize that the cost of rent is too expensive a major reason for homelessness has doubled since the beginning of this decade.
VII CONCLUSION
Before closing, as part of the Third World March of Women, the Women's Committee FRAPRU, which one is part, has collected testimonies of women in different cities of Quebec to make the document "Women, housing and poverty Getting out of a private social issue." It is available on the website of FRAPRU.
In conclusion, housing is not only a basic need, it is a right and have a decent roof over their heads, it's also about dignity.
act collectively is a societal choice! Continue our struggle for social justice!
Thanks!
[1] The rate is calculated for areas of Sainte-Foy, Sillery, Cap-Rouge & St. Augustine. Folder Black FRAPRU January 2009; special order FRAPRU (Census Statistics Canada)
[2] (5) p.12 FRAPRU Black Dossier; Housing and poverty in January 2009
[3] (5) P. 8
[4] Ibid .
[5] (5) p.14
January 2009 The Canadian census is certainly not the best tool to get an accurate picture of living conditions in Native communities, several of them refused to cooperate. A recent report produced on behalf of the Assembly of First Nations of Quebec and Labrador, however, tells us more on that subject.
Of 12,593 homes in these communities, 2419, 19.2% need major renovations, while others require 2282 minor renovations or repairs. In addition, 1,721 homes suffer from problems of contamination, elevated in 38% of cases. As if this were not enough, 4209 is currently overcrowded dwellings, representing 33.4% of the total. To address this problem, but also for other necessities such as population growth and migration of Aboriginal people who can not currently live in their communities, an estimated 8,800 new housing need for the next five years. Finally, 7,302 lots are poorly served by infrastructure.
The 2006 census tells us that by cons, about 9,565 homes in rural Inuit (Inuit Nunaat), no fewer than 45,335 are in need of renovation, representing 47.4% of the total.
Not better off community
What the census allows us to glimpse, is the reality of 74,290 people reporting Aboriginal identity (2), but living outside their community. In this case, 19% of people live in homes requiring major repairs, this percentage is 27.0% when they live in rural areas and 13.8% in urban areas.
These figures do not include obviously another problem affecting Aboriginal people living in urban areas, that of homelessness.
A survey conducted in autumn 2007 by the TVA television network allowed him to assert that the number of Aboriginal and Inuit people living in homelessness in downtown Montreal had doubled in ten years. The Native Friendship Centre of Montreal puts the figure at 500, adding that these people are mostly struggling with serious problems of alcoholism and addiction. The assertion is so believable that it was taken over by the city of Montreal itself in a paper on homelessness presented to the Parliamentary Commission Social Affairs, September 29, 2008.
(Gaston Saint-Pierre and associates inc., The housing needs of First Nations of Quebec and Labrador 2000 and 2006) Secretariat of the Assembly of First Nations of Quebec and Labrador).
Homeless
Regarding the situation of homelessness, the number of women in shelters has doubled in the last ten years according to the RAIIQ (group of homeless and itinerant Quebec document Spiral 2008).
What is difficult in homelessness is part of the census the number of homeless people being since they do not all go to shelters.
Some of these people will continue living with an abusive partner, others are walking in makeshift shelters, and there is even an older lady who walks her children to turn the last 4 years. All this so they do not end up directly in the street ... ....
Moreover, nearly 32 households whose main support is a woman have used our services in 2009. Most of these women are victims of domestic violence and want more than anything affordable and secure a roof over their head in order to regain stability and better living conditions.
Again ...
The portrait is painted of renters, but what they look their homes? So we said the Black Dossier FRAPRU, the housing stock in Quebec's aging and deteriorating. Besides "owners' associations also recognize the magnitude of the problems of housing quality, but in unison they blame the current method of setting rents in Quebec, particularly given the adjustment for major work, which discourages in their view, the proper maintenance of homes. [5] "Whatever
Who's to blame. The problem is still there and seems to be improving. Thus, in 2001 in the province of Quebec, 280 180 homes were found to require minor repairs, while in 2006, 325,900 units in need. That's an increase of 3.3%.
That same year, about 111,710 homes rented in the province of Quebec, 8.9% need major repairs (3).
The proportions are similar in our area: 25.2% (3555 units) of housing for renters require minor repairs and 6.2% (880 dwellings) repairs major. (4)
short, in Sainte-Foy/Sillery/Cap-Rouge, too many people still are paying a substantial portion, if not staggering, their income for housing properly. People believe that in our district, there is no poverty! It is clear that it is increasingly present even if it is hidden!
References:
(1) Statistics Canada. (2006). Census 2006. In a special order FRAPRU (2008). Table on the rate of effort renters in 2006 housing affordability. 1p.
(2) CMHC. (2008). Rental Market Reports, CMA Quebec Tables 1.1.1 & 1.1.2, p.11.
(3) Statistics Canada. (2001 & 2006). Census 2001 & 2006. & CMHC. (2000 & 2005). Rental Market Reports 2000 & 2005. In FRAPRU. (2009). Black File 2009; Housing and poverty in the province of Quebec. 2p.
(4) Statistics Canada. (2006). Census 2006. & CMHC. (2005 & 2008). Rental Market Reports. In a special order FRAPRU. (2009). Black File 2009; Housing and poverty in the borough Sainte-Foy/Sillery. 1p.
(5) People's Action Front on Urban Redevelopment & Study Group and action areas. (January 2009). Folder black housing and poverty in Quebec; figures and faces. 19 p.
V
SHELTER ALLOWANCE PROGRAM collapsed
This program is unknown since 1997 and has always been doubly discriminated against single people below the age of 55 and 55 years and older.
The decree adopted by the Council of Ministers on July 7 and will enter into force on 1 October brings only minor adjustments to the program whose main parameters have not been reviewed since its introduction there are 13 years. As he made in 2008 and 2009, the Government merely to index the maximum income for accessing the program, as well as the maximum rent at which the beneficiaries do not receive government assistance. However, for the third consecutive year, the singles are not even eligible for such indexing.
When single people under 55, they are not entitled to housing benefit and when they are over 55 and can receive assistance, we do not give them the same benefits that other household categories. Thus, for individuals, the maximum rent covered by the program will remain at $ 428 per month in 2011, exactly the same amount as in 1998 when the program began. However, during the 2006 census, the average rent paid by people in Quebec alone was already $ 574 per month.
However, if the scale of income eligibility for individuals ($ 16,480) had been indexed to the poverty line is recognized 21,000, there would be only that more households have access to this program. That is a fact that does not correspond to reality today.
This program collapses while households in need. This will never be a comprehensive and sustainable social housing, but as for households that receive it, it can mean a grocery cart over.
The government must do the update while indexing the income and rental costs to the current reality.
VI
GOVERNMENTS
Federal :
Regarding the federal government, there are unprecedented reversals! In 1994 he decided to stop investing in social housing. Since that time, there is lack of more than 50,000 social housing in Quebec. The amount
he has granted in Quebec during the last budget is around 89 million for housing, which represents around 240 units of social housing in Quebec! We demand that the federal reinvest 1% of its budget for social housing when we know there are billions of dollars into the coffers of sleep CMHC (Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation).
Moreover, the agreement for public housing subsidized by the federal government coming in and the tenants in these buildings will be overnight to pay the full cost of their rent. Most of these households there will not be able to pay skyrocketing, what will happen there with these households in these buildings? Where will they go? Will it tend to turn these buildings to the private market?
In addition, the federal government wants to remove the long form (one in five) of Statistics Canada, how can we measure and analyze the reality and habits of Canadians?
And yet, the removal of the gun registry, a tool for public safety unless ... ..
Regarding the environment, it really is not a model!
So we can say that in the crosshairs of federal there is less democratic and less able to protect the environment. As there are more cons of surveillance and control as well as more farms using our natural resources to multinationals and not redistributed to the people!
Provincial :
During the last provincial budget the government announced that 3,000 units of housing for the next 5 years. Yet at the last election the Prime Minister had made a commitment to build 3,000 units per year for social 5 years. He did not keep this commitment! A gain! (December 20, 2010, the Minister Lessard made a commitment to social housing 3.000 per year for the next 5 years).
That's the design of the second plan to fight poverty! The needs are pressing and substantial in all four corners of Quebec. When Statistics Canada census of 2006, 203,000 renter households spent more Quebecois than half of their income on housing. With the economic crisis and shortage of low rent housing many households simply can no longer pay their rent.
The current government fails to meet the needs for measures that would increase personal income poorest. Not only did he abandon the fight against poverty, rising rates of Hydro-Quebec and is taxing your health!
This fall, we follow suit in the ranks of FRAPRU to claim 50,000 new housing units in five years!
Other Folder:
In terms of households at risk or homeless, the government did not grant money to municipalities for the implementation of emergency measures. The load is up to municipalities to manage this situation. If the SHQ
must pay in the implementation of emergency measures it has its say it must cut elsewhere.
Here in Quebec, we identified thirty households in need and a single household, class "special case", was entitled to emergency accommodation (OMHQ Statistics, August 2010). The assistance provided by our municipality was minimal with very strict criteria. This means that some households have found housing in the private sector, housing cooperatives, or they find themselves in overcrowded conditions.
One of the problems found is to spot low-income households with rented housing within their means too much to not be in the street. Except that one time, the rent is catching up! Moreover, the Régie has identified about 11,000 cases of nonpayment of rent in Quebec. The number of households in this situation continues to grow year after year.
Thus, we realize that the cost of rent is too expensive a major reason for homelessness has doubled since the beginning of this decade.
VII CONCLUSION
Before closing, as part of the Third World March of Women, the Women's Committee FRAPRU, which one is part, has collected testimonies of women in different cities of Quebec to make the document "Women, housing and poverty Getting out of a private social issue." It is available on the website of FRAPRU.
In conclusion, housing is not only a basic need, it is a right and have a decent roof over their heads, it's also about dignity.
act collectively is a societal choice! Continue our struggle for social justice!
Thanks!
[1] The rate is calculated for areas of Sainte-Foy, Sillery, Cap-Rouge & St. Augustine. Folder Black FRAPRU January 2009; special order FRAPRU (Census Statistics Canada)
[2] (5) p.12 FRAPRU Black Dossier; Housing and poverty in January 2009
[3] (5) P. 8
[4] Ibid .
[5] (5) p.14
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