Her son, Alexis, has Down syndrome and Moya Moya disease. At 23, he is currently in end-of-life palliative care at home.
Ms. Simard, a tenant of one of the six low-rent housing units (HLM) in Baie-Saint-Paul rated “very poor condition” by the Société d’Habitation du Québec (SHQ), alleges numerous refusals that she considers unjustified by the OMH regarding the condition of her home, since they became the new managers. In the past, with the former owner “Madeleine”, there were not as many problems, says Ms. Simard:
Since the facilities are not adapted, Alexis has not been outside for four years now, reports his mother. She claims to have been rejected by the OMH for her request to install an access ramp, which would have allowed her son to go into the backyard. She confirms that the Institut national de santé publique du Québec (INSPQ) would have assumed the costs, in addition to the fact that the file was supported by the CIUSSS:
“It’s for my son that I feel sorry,” she said, tears in her eyes. “He can’t even see the sun.”
As for more general issues, Nadia Simard believes in particular that electrical outlets have already caught fire, that a window has been broken for several years, that the sewer system emits an odor into the accommodation, that the roof is in very poor condition and that the paint from the ceiling had already fallen on her head while she was in the bath.
The numerous refusals are made with a lack of humanism, deplores the tenant, specifying that this feeling is shared by other neighbors with whom she speaks on a regular basis.
A second testimony
FM Charlevoix visited another of the six accommodations concerned, although the tenant did not wish to be named.
We noticed a strong, intolerable odor throughout the accommodation. The tenant considers it to be mold, telling us two places where the smell is considerably worse.
Problems with insulation and insect infestations should also be noted, among other things.
“I’ve been living here for two and a half years and I’ve been told for two and a half years that there will be renovations,” she says, an observation shared by Nadia Simard. She also says she feels treated unequally.
The OMH response
The general director of the OMH of Baie-Saint-Paul, Marie-Hélène Gagnon, redirected all requests for official interviews to the SHQ.
Regarding the ramp that would allow Alexis to reconnect with the sun, she affirms that the refusal does not come from her organization, adding that she will contact the CIUSSS de la Capitale-Nationale for verifications. Contacted by FM Charlevoix, the CIUSSS nevertheless confirms having issued favorable recommendations for the addition of this same access ramp and that the refusal does not come from their side.
Ms. Gagnon mentioned having offered accommodation adapted to the needs of Ms. Simard’s son, who responded that he had refused, considering the accommodation too small and unsuitable. As for the other requests, Ms. Gagnon believes that she did not receive a written complaint and believes that she interacted with the tenants in a respectful manner.
The general director specifies that the OMH “has the money” and is waiting to be able to present a new plan for the renovation of the six housing units, which she is “looking forward to sharing” with the population. A first plan was sent back to the drawing board by the City of Baie-Saint-Paul.
Baie-Saint-Paul asks OMH to review $2 million housing renovation project
Baie-Saint-Paul Mayor Michaël Pilote said he would have discussions with the Office, being in “solution mode” regarding this situation. “It’s not the City’s responsibility, but we are partners,” he said.
