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.
WATCH BELOW: 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.