Tenants report poor conditions, MRC pushes for solutions
Tashi Farmilo
Local Journalism Initiative
Published in the Pontiac Journal on April 23, 2025.
MRC PONTIAC – More than half of renters in the MRC Pontiac say they live without a formal lease and in homes needing significant repairs—findings that paint a troubling picture of housing insecurity in the region and point to growing tension between tenants and landlords.
A housing survey conducted by the MRC Pontiac earlier this year gathered responses from 219 residents, representing 1.5% of the local population. Among the results, 55% of tenants said they didn’t sign a lease and 54% said their homes need repairs, compared to just 25% of landlords who acknowledged the same need. The largest concerns related to roofing, plumbing, windows, and overall interior conditions.
Most renters in the region report household incomes below $50,000, while paying between $500 and $750 per month in rent. Many live in one-bedroom units but say they need larger accommodations.
Rachel Soar-Flandé, the MRC’s economic development officer for housing, acknowledged the challenges and outlined several efforts currently underway. The MRC is encouraging municipalities and developers to use the new survey data in applications for federal and provincial funding, particularly through programs like the Canada Housing Infrastructure Fund (CHIF), which support essential infrastructure expansions for housing projects.
However, some initiatives are already facing setbacks. The RénoRégion program, which supported eco-responsible home renovations, recently lost provincial funding. “The MRC
is joining others across Quebec to contest this decision,” said Soar-Flandé.
The MRC is planning an awareness campaign on the importance of formal lease agreements. “The lack of rental properties and a fragmented housing market put tenants in a difficult position,” she said. “They often settle for substandard options because supply doesn’t meet demand.”
At the same time, zoning regulations present challenges. When asked about loosening restrictions to allow more residential construction on agricultural land,
Soar-Flandé was clear: “Currently, no. All such requests must go through the Commission for the Protection of Agricultural Land in Quebec (CPTAQ), and the process is long and strictly regulated.”
The report identifies families with children and seniors as especially affected by the shortage of affordable, appropriate housing. In response, the MRC has launched a
“Famille d’accueil / cohabitation” initiative to encourage residents to rent out available rooms in their homes to newly-arrived immigrants and is preparing to announce a new housing-related project soon.
Soar-Flandé highlighted the MRC’s ongoing role in supporting both private and non-profit developers in navigating time-sensitive funding opportunities. The MRC’s housing resource page is available at mrcpontiac.qc.ca/en/mrc/housing/.
