City of Montreal criticized after tenants forced from unsafe homes

Montreal housing advocates are criticizing how the city has handled the eviction of a building of tenants.

More than a dozen residents in the Pointe-Saint-Charles neighbourhood had to leave their homes Thursday, three weeks after the city sent them a notice stating the building was unsafe.

READ MORE: Eviction order stands for vulnerable Pointe-Saint-Charles residents

Their lawyer says rents have gone up in the neighbourhood in recent years and some of the tenants don’t know where to go.

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WATCH BELOW: Residents evicted from Pointe-Saint-Charles building

2:18 Residents evicted from Pointe-Saint-Charles building

Stephane Proulx believes they should have been given more time to move and to seek compensation from the province’s rental board.

READ MORE: Pointe-Saint-Charles’ Bâtiment 7 in the running for $40,000 revitalization prize

A spokesman for the city says there was no choice but to ask the residents to leave to ensure their safety.

READ MORE: Pointe-Saint-Charles church calls on community for donations

Jules Chamberland says the city is working with local organizations to ensure none of the tenants ends up on the street.