Sainte-Catherine Building Collapse Risk – Evacuation Order

After years of seeking subsidies to carry out work, the tenants of a low-rent building in Sainte-Catherine were forced to urgently evacuate on Friday, since their building is now too dangerous and risks collapsing at any moment.

The residents of 85, rue Jogues, including small families and elderly people, all find themselves in a highly precarious situation and are desperately looking for new housing.

Totally gutted walls, sagging floors, bare baths, gaping cracks in the ceilings, hanging drywall, mold; the condition of the building is so dangerous that the City issued an immediate evacuation order, following the recommendation of an engineer.

Limited time

Some had only a few minutes to collect their personal belongings. Out of around fifteen accommodations, the occupants of only two of them were able to find other accommodation. The others are staying with relatives or in a hotel… but for a limited time.

But great uncertainty reigns. Where will they go? Will they be able to return to their accommodation? How will they find affordable rent?

“The level of stress is almost unbearable,” says Rolande Chamberland, 74. I have no idea where I’m going to go. At my age, it’s really not funny.”

The building in question belongs to Habitations Rive Sainte-Catherine, a non-profit organization managed by a volunteer board of directors formed by the tenants.

Very complex

Problems with the structure of the building, built in 2007, began to be documented by the CA almost 10 years ago. Since then, numerous steps have been taken to achieve the required work. Despite requests for funding, particularly from the Société d’Habitation du Québec (SHQ), the CA was never able to find the funds necessary to carry out urgent repairs.

“We do the best we can with the knowledge we have, but that’s not what we do for a living, managing buildings. It’s very complex,” says Josée Lamontagne, board member, who even developed health problems due to mold in her home.

“I started coughing, to the point where I was coughing up mucus. And now I vomit every day from coughing. I also developed asthma.”

His magnets and his legos

Noémie Sivret, mother of two children, only had five minutes to “pack a little bundle” and leave her home on Friday.

“I just want to go get my magnets and my Legos,” said his son Justin, with a crumpled face, who was killing time by playing with a tree branch during the visit to the Journal while his mother confided.

Carole Renaud, who is about to blow away her 75^e candle, for his part has reduced mobility. She is relocated to a hotel, but nothing there is suitable and she is unable to take a simple shower.

“With my pension, I will never find another accommodation for $770,” she sighs. May the devil take it.”

The SHQ did not respond to our questions on Tuesday.