![\"Maisons\"](\"https:\/\/www.centraide-mtl.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/3.webp\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nCentraide\u2019s ongoing efforts help shine a light on the scarcity and rising cost of housing in the city. SUPPLIED<\/sup><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n Some people stay with family or live with many other people under the same roof to survive, and with the number of repossessions and evictions on the rise, others end up on the street. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHere in C\u00f4te-des-Neiges, we intervene on behalf of a lot of new immigrants and allophones who have challenges related to discrimination that they\u2019re dealing with, whether it be discrimination based on language, race, gender or sexual orientation\u201d says the coordinator of the Organisation d\u2019\u00c9ducation et d\u2019Information Logement (\u0152IL), Am\u00e9lie Giurgiuca. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n \u201cOften, they don\u2019t know what their rights are, they don\u2019t have access to information and don\u2019t have access to lawyers to defend their rights.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n In addition to the neighbourhood\u2019s demographic makeup and the fact that it\u2019s the second most populous in the city, 46 per cent of buildings in C\u00f4te-des-Neiges were built before the sixties. Many of them weren\u2019t properly maintained and aren\u2019t fit to be lived in; either due to moisture, mold, insects, vermin or inadequate heating. <\/p>\n\n\n\n According to Giurgiuca, landlords use all sorts of tactics to discourage families from living in their units, including converting bathtubs to showers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Combined with the scarcity of two- and three-bedroom apartments and the lack of affordable housing in general, it makes it extremely difficult for families to find adequate housing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cEvery winter, there are families living in apartments that aren\u2019t heated and that are too afraid to say anything for fear of losing the little they have,\u201d says Giurgiuca. <\/p><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n \u201cEvery winter, there are families living in apartments that aren\u2019t heated and that are too afraid to say anything for fear of losing the little they have,\u201d says Giurgiuca. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cMany renters are afraid to complain. But when they unite, they\u2019re stronger.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u0152IL has a sanitation squad that goes door to door in the neighbourhood to let renters know what their rights are and help then unite. In addition to its mobilization efforts, the organization, which received 65 per cent more calls this year than it did last year, provides different levels of support for clients with different needs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n In addition to general information and resources, it provides in-depth services to people who can\u2019t read or write, or speak one of the official languages, either by phone, email, in-person or at home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It also gives free workshops on a variety of topics that relate to housing, collaborates with neighbouring community groups and organizes manifestations and public consultations to help change the system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Help Centraide lighten the burden that vulnerable people bear. SUPPLIED<\/sup><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n \u201cThere is a huge lack of social housing,\u201d says Giurgiuca about one of the systemic problems. \u201cThere are currently thousands of people on a waiting list in the neighbourhood.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n Far from the only solution to the housing crisis, creating more social housing and implementing crisis measures to support people who are homeless or facing a housing issue is one of the most urgent needs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Community agencies that are supported by Centraide such as \u0152IL help implement solutions that collectively advocate for people\u2019s rights, support renters, fight substandard housing and promote social housing. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n A day to recognize the housing crisis as well as the essential work done by community agencies across the country to improve access to housing for everyone, National Housing Day is held every year on November 22. <\/p>\n\n\n\n This year, to commemorate the important day and show your support, help Centraide lighten the burden that vulnerable people bear and change people\u2019s lives for the better by donating. <\/p>\n\n\n\n A true agent of change, the organization supports a network of 350 agencies and projects every year and implements strategies to break the cycle of poverty and social exclusion. <\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.centraide-mtl.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/image.png\")
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\n\n\n\n1 out of 5 people receives our help.
5 out of 5 people benefit from it.<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n Let’s all lend a hand<\/font><\/b><\/span>\n <\/h3>\n\n\n\n