“Inhuman and dangerous”, she describes her mother’s life at 33 rue Bowen Sud

Threats, violent gestures, used syringes around the building, urine in the hallways, banging on the walls, bedbugs and sudden awakenings in the middle of the night because of the noise: this is the “unbearable” daily life of Claire’s* mother, 67, who lives at 33, rue Bowen Sud.

It’s getting worse and worse. Nobody would want to live there. A person who has all his senses… nobody Claire says in tears. Her mother lives in the building managed by the Municipal Housing Office (OMG) for a dozen years.

It is no longer livable, it is very dangerous testifies the one who notices a deterioration in the social climate within the walls of the building. For several years, I told my mother: “you have to get out of there, you have to move.”

Today his mother is afraid to leave her house. At any time of the day, even at night, someone rings the bell at any apartment to be able to enter the building, either to go do some washing in the laundry room or to go to the vendors.

She has anxiety issues, she has panic attacks, she has trouble sleeping, she has trouble functioning. She’s always anxious, she’s always afraid.

Claire isn’t the only one concerned about the situation at 33 Bowen Street South. For over a year, tenants have been wanting to regain the peace and quiet they once knew. (New window) She does not hide her despair.

An unbearable wait

Claire’s mother obtained two doctor’s notes ordering the management of theOMG to find him another place to live.

It was in May 2023, Claire specifies. From what I understand, it works with points. So if there is a new arrival who does not have a roof, he will go before mom. Mental health problems, homeless people who do not have a roof, they all go before.

The second doctor’s note was even refused by theOMG. Claire and her mother were thus redirected to CLSC to fill out a form.

They say the doctor has to fill out the office form. You know how long it takes to get an appointment with a doctor! We don’t want to clog up the system either. We already have a paper from the doctor.

According to Claire, her mother’s situation is not improving. A few months ago, Mom was 23^e on the list, now it is made 44^e . She tried to get in touch with representatives of theOMG.

It’s very difficult to communicate with them. It’s often voicemail and when I went to the office with my mother to bring the doctor’s paper, they were two young people, I’ll be polite… but slobbery. They look at us as if we were less than nothing.

Claire’s mother wants to remain independent and have her own home, so her daughter is looking for a place to live. My mother can’t afford to move either. Except I’m building a network to do so. We just need to find a safe and affordable place that she can afford.

OMH wants new housing resources

The Municipal Housing Office cannot comment directly on Claire’s case. However, the organization’s general director, Marie-Claude Bégin, explains that a tenant who wishes to be relocated must submit their application to the selection committee that will evaluate the file, according to the prioritization charter which is already established and which is at the provincial level.

Disasters, violent situations, health problems and occupancy standards are the aspects considered in the assessment.

For health reasons, for example, a medical form, which comes from theOMG, must be completed so that the selection committee can properly identify the factors for which it must make the assessment and weighting. It cannot be a simple medical note that comes from the doctorsays Ms. Bégin.

A person who wants to move must also select relocation options. When the person makes limited choices of places to which they want to be moved, this is a factor that influences the waiting time.she adds.

She maintains that new housing resources must be developed in Sherbrooke to meet the needs of a more problematic clientele.

Currently, the Municipal Housing Office finds itself providing last resort assistance in housing. We find ourselves with people who have all sorts of needs in our clientele. If we could diversify the housing offer with housing for which we have more community support, social workers, we could come and help according to the types of clientele who need it.

Currently, 1,600 households are waiting for housing from theOMGIn total, including all waiting lists established according to housing categories, there are 400 households waiting for a transfer.

*Claire is a fictitious name to protect her mother’s identity.