Nearly 2,000 households in need of new home as Quebec's moving day nears

With Quebec's moving day fast approaching, more than 2,000 households across the province are still searching for housing — 320 more than at the same time last year, according to the province's housing corporation. 

Advocacy groups say they are bracing for more emergency calls.

"There's been a lot more evictions, cases of repossessions," said Lyn O'Donnell, with the Citizen Action Committee of Verdun.

"People are not only dealing with eviction. They're also dealing with the fact that they've received rent increases that, you know, like your average person just can't afford."

In Montreal alone, some 270 have asked for help, the Société d'habitation du Québec (SHQ) says. Advocates warn the number is misleading.

"That's just what's reported, right? So there's so much invisible homelessness involved in that. That even includes families with children," O'Donnell said.

The city says help is available by calling 311.

"We have enough resources, enough budget to help you find a new dwelling," said Philippe Sabourin, City of Montreal spokesperson.

"We can also offer temporary resources or a temporary dwelling. We also have some resources for the storage if it's required."

Help is also available through the SHQ and some people may be eligible for a rent supplement.

But housing advocates say these resources are far from enough.

"Housing is scarce, first of all. And also the program is mostly for low-income households," O'Donnell said. "And you have to have lived on the island of Montreal for the past 12 months and you have to have used up all of your own resources."

O'Donnell said all of these measures are only temporary. The real solution is making more affordable housing available.

Housing advocacy group Le Front d'action populaire en réaménagement urbain (FRAPRU) says the increasing number of households in search of a home is due to the scarcity of affordable housing in the province.