The Government Has Revealed New Programs To Help Low-Income Quebecers Make Rent

The government has announced a new aid package for low-income households. More than $71.5 million will be invested with the goal of housing all Quebecers on July 1, 2020. Several measures have been put forward to help the Quebec government achieve that goal. 

These measures include a Rent Supplement Program, emergency aid to certain municipalities, interest-free loans, and financial support for low-income households. 

With July 1 just around the corner, the government hopes to offer as much help to low-income Quebecers who are at risk of losing their housing. 

"Our government wants to ensure that tenants looking for housing, especially those on low incomes, will have all the support they need in the coming weeks," said Andrée Laforest, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. 

"In the particular context of the current pandemic, it is all the more important to inject $71.5 million in the various measures so that no one is left behind."

According to Danielle McCann, Minister of Health and Social Services, the measures will also help uplift some 200 Quebecers out of homelessness. 

Low-income individuals who might need help finding accommodation by July 1 should contact their municipal housing office. You can find an office with this handy directory. 

An investment of $21.5 million will help nearly 1,800 households in Quebec afford their rent. 

"This assistance will enable them to pay rent equivalent to 25 percent of their income, just like in social housing," the government wrote in a statement.

"An increase in the ceiling on eligible rent is also planned in order to facilitate the search for housing."

"1,600 new units allocated by municipal housing offices will be able to meet the pressing housing needs of low-income households who would be left homeless." 

In addition, 200 units will be reserved in Montreal to help house the homeless.

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Municipalities with a vacancy rate of 2% or less will also continue to receive support from the Société d'habitation du Québec (SHQ) for the remainder of the year. 

For households affected by the pandemic, the SHQ is offering an interest-free loan of $1,500 to help pay rent.

Those who need this assistance must apply by July 15. The loan will be repayable by August 1, 2021.

To offer more assistance to Quebecers, the SHQ and its partners are running on an extended schedule from June 26 to July 3.