Stephanie Doucet has been living out of about a dozen bags for the last six months.
Some clothes, personal items and a few toys for her nine-month-old daughter is the bulk of what they have left.
In May, the spring floods completely devastated the home she was renting on Ile Mercier.
READ MORE: As first house comes down on Ile Mercier, flood victims still waiting for clarity
After weeks of trying to save it, she and her family were evacuated.
The family of six stayed with relatives for a month following the floods, and then checked into a hotel.
They now live in a 600-square-foot room.
“There are two beds and a pull-out bed,” said Doucet. “It’s challenging but we made it work obviously. But we are better off than other people, some people have less than we do, so we’re fortunate, we’re thankful for what we do have.”
Though living in their hotel room isn’t ideal, the home they lived in on Ile Mercier is unlivable.
READ MORE: Quebec floods: Île Mercier resident wants to rebuild home to be more flood-resistent
Quebec’s Ministry of Public Security and the Red Cross has been financing the family’s stay since June.
But last week, they informed her that it’s time to go.
Doucet insists she knew she couldn’t stay here forever, but is upset with the government for not providing her with any answers.
“It’s not until a couple weeks ago that they told us, ‘Once you’re out of the hotel, we’re going to start giving you money. Right now, we’re not giving you more, because you’re still in the hotel.’ We said, ‘Fine, not a problem, but why didn’t you say that before?’ If you would have said that before, we would have rearranged how we’re living a lot sooner, been a bit more proactive,” said Doucet.
Doucet and her family are just one of the 210 families who were affected by the floods and currently staying in a hotel.
Doucet says she hopes the provincial government will be more organized so other flood victims aren’t put out onto the streets.
READ MORE: Quebec floods: Some Île-Mercier residents say they’re waiting in limbo over damages
“I don’t think they understand what we went through,” she said. “And I don’t think that they’re being compassionate or humane on handling everything.”
In an email to Global News, a spokesperson for Quebec’s Ministry of Public Security said flood victims who needed help were provided with a hotel stay of up to three months. However, if they were living an exceptional situation, their stay was extended. Afterwards, they say, the Red Cross is there to help families like the Doucets to figure out where to go next.
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