Quebec social housing faces widespread disrepair and hazards

A single mother of seven in Montreal says her family's social housing apartment is plagued by infestations, mould, and fire hazards, highlighting a systemic crisis in Quebec's public housing stock where tens of thousands of units are in disrepair. Mercedes Rodriguez, a resident of the Habitations La Pépinière complex in the Hochelaga-Maisonneuve district, describes holes in her walls and ceilings from mice, water damage, and a bathroom fire caused by poor ventilation. She and her children struggle to sleep due to the sounds of rodents in the walls.

Rodriguez's situation is not isolated. Her 192-unit complex, built in 1972, is slated for renovations, but she does not know when work will begin. A visit to the buildings revealed peeling paint, mice droppings on windowsills, and what tenants identify as black mould on walls and ceilings. In 2019, a flyer from the city's housing agency warned residents that an inspector had found mould in bathrooms, exterior walls, and common areas, but stated the findings were "nothing alarming" despite listing potential health risks like respiratory irritation.

Approximately one-third of Quebec's social housing stock, nearly 21,500 units, is in...