Coalition calls on Quebec to help house tornado victims

A coalition of affordable housing agencies in the Outaouaisisasking the Quebec government to invoke emergency measuresto helpresidents who were displaced by the Sept. 21 tornadoes.

As of Thursday, nearly1,700 Gatineauresidents had registered with the Canadian Red Cross for emergency assistance. They're currently living in temporary accommodation with friends andfamily, in hotelsor at atemporary shelter set up in the gymnasium of the Centre Pere Arthur Guertin recreation complex.

We'requestioninghow we're going to be able to help, in the long term, the housing situation for these people.- IzaGodbout, ROHSCO

But IzaGodbout, a team leader withROHSCO, an umbrella group of 50 affordable housing agencies in the Outaouais, believes many of those residents will eventually need to find new homes.

"The Red Cross is doing an amazing job in terms of the emergency response," Godboutsaid. "We'requestioninghow we're going to be able to help, in the long term, the housing situation for these people."

Godbout said the various agencies involved in aiding the victims are struggling to coordinatetheir efforts.

"There's a lack of coordination. There's still notan action planto respond to the needs of the population in the coming weeks and months," added Godbout.

Few available units

Godboutpointed out that Mont-Bleu, a neighbourhood with many rental units in triplexes, suffered the heaviest damage. The area was home to a large population of low-income earners, includingsingle mothers and immigrant families who rely of affordable housing, she said.

Of the 1,686 housing units that were damaged in Gatineau, many are in Mont-Bleu and have either been marked for demolition, or are in need of major repairs.

Godboutand other affordable housing advocates used a news conferenceThursday to point out that there are only 800 available rental units in all of Gatineau, and many are too expensive for the displaced residents.

The group is askingthe Quebec government for emergency financial assistance for those people.

"That way we can relocate these people into units that may cost more, but the tenants would be compensated with subsidies,"Godboutsaid.

In addition, the coalition is calling for money to help the tornado victims store their belongings while they wait for apermanent or semi-permanent solution to their housing situation.

"If not, alot of them are going to be faced with having to leave their belongings there and start all over," Godbout said.

CBC was unable to obtain the government's response to the coalition's proposal.