The homeless situation in Rimouski has barely improved. There are still plenty of makeshift shelters left in the Parc de la Gare.
With the arrival of autumn and the nights getting cooler, a real race against time begins for these homeless people who are desperately looking for a roof over their heads.
“I have been here for three months and the number of (homeless) people remains the same. It is not moving forward,” says Sébastien Matte.
At Répit du Passant, we are sold out. For three years now, the organization that houses the homeless has been in more demand than ever.
“There are no silver bullets,” recalled the coordinator of the Répit du Passant, Véronique Colin. Housing, even if we snap our fingers, none will appear. There must be venues that are available.”
“It is the responsibility of the Government of Quebec,” stressed the mayor of Rimouski, Guy Caron. With the little capacity we have, will we have to substitute the role of Quebec?
In Rimouski, construction starts are rare. In July there were only three new constructions. One house and two townhouses, according to the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation.
“If you look at the numbers that will be released at the next city council, we have 384 permit applications that have been submitted and awarded. The projects do not necessarily go ahead,” said the mayor.
The city is sending a delegation to Quebec on Friday to attend the summit on homelessness. The objective is to allow municipalities to come together to intervene effectively.
But during this time in the Parc de la Gare, tempers are heating up and impatience is beginning to appear.
“I’m going to sleep in the deputy’s office, that doesn’t bother me,” shouts Michel Boudreault. Let’s go with a gang. In the end they will understand. It has heating and is not occupied at night. Let’s occupy it!
