By William Crooks
Local Journalism Initiative
As the critical lease renewal period approaches in Quebec, a series of workshops aimed at empowering tenants with essential knowledge of their rights and obligations will be held in Stanstead and Magog this January. Organized by the Chantier Habitation’s Info-Logement committee, these free sessions aim to address the challenges posed by the ongoing housing crisis, which has left many residents struggling to find stable and affordable housing.
“This year, we’re thrilled to offer a bilingual workshop in Stanstead for the first time,” said Amélie Hudon, community development officer at the Corporation de Développement Communautaire (CDC) Memphrémagog and a key member of the organizing committee. Hudon explained in a recent interview that Stanstead’s workshop, scheduled for Jan. 18 at the community room of the Stanstead Arena, marks a significant step in making these sessions more accessible to the region’s English-speaking population.
Addressing a persistent housing crisis
Hudon emphasized the urgent need for these workshops in light of the ongoing housing crisis. “We don’t have any local organizations specifically defending tenant rights, so we asked ourselves what we could do to help,” she said. “Many tenants, and even landlords, don’t fully understand their rights and obligations, which can lead to misunderstandings and hardships.”
She also highlighted the broader challenges faced by tenants in the Memphrémagog region. “We have very few affordable housing options and no non-profit housing in the area,” Hudon noted. “This makes it extremely difficult for people, especially as rents and housing prices continue to rise.”
Recent statistics from the Chantier Habitation provided by Hudon illustrate the severity of the problem. The median monthly rent in the Memphrémagog region in summer 2023 was $1,550. A household would need to earn at least $62,000 annually to maintain a housing cost ratio of 30 per cent. The vacancy rate in Magog was only 1.3 per cent, with a shocking 0 per cent availability for three-bedroom units and just 1 per cent for two-bedroom units. For comparison, a balanced vacancy rate is considered to be 3 per cent.
In addition to these systemic issues, Hudon highlighted the growing problem of discrimination in the rental market. “We are observing all kinds of discrimination,” she said, emphasizing the need for tenants to be equipped with information and tools to protect their rights.
