Montreal Activists Call for More Inclusive Affordable Housing Solutions

Advocates Push for Affordable Housing that Accepts Service Animals in Montreal

The Challenges Faced by Individuals with Service Animals

Tobias Gurl, a 32-year-old individual with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and awaiting an autism screening, relies on his five-year-old collie, Winston, as a service dog to assist him during panic attacks. Winston has been specifically trained to provide support through behaviors such as gentle nudges or creating personal space when Gurl feels overwhelmed in crowded situations.

Gurl, along with his roommate CJ James, who also has a service dog, face the challenge of finding an affordable apartment in Montreal that accepts animals. Despite the fact that landlords are not legally allowed to reject service dogs, Gurl and James claim they have been turned down multiple times by landlords who specify the dogs as the reason for refusal. They suspect that in other instances, the dogs were silently responsible for their application rejections.

An Existing Discrepancy between Pet Ownership and Landlord Acceptance

A report by Moosejawtoday.com has shed light on the magnitude of the issue faced by Gurl, James, and other individuals with service animals. Despite the fact that 52% of households in Quebec own a cat or dog, a survey conducted by a major landlords’ group in 2019 revealed that over 66% of landlords refuse to allow pets in their properties. This discrepancy between the significant number of pet owners in Quebec and the limited number of landlords willing to accommodate animals exacerbates the housing crisis for individuals like Gurl and James.

The emotional toll faced by pet owners who are forced to surrender their beloved animals due to housing limitations is highlighted by Sophie Gaillard, the director of animal advocacy at the Montreal SPCA. Gaillard emphasizes that the current situation results in heartbreak for responsible pet owners who are unable to find suitable housing.

Advocates for Inclusive Housing Policies

To address these challenges, advocates in Montreal have long advocated for the ban of “no-pet” clauses in rental agreements. One such advocate is Sophie Gaillard from the Montreal SPCA. She believes that by invalidating these clauses and banning them in future leases, individuals with service animals will have better access to affordable housing that accommodates their needs.

Martin Messier, the president of the Association des Propriétaires du Québec, has expressed concerns about potential damages or complaints from other tenants regarding noise or allergies. He suggests that instead of forcing landlords to accept pets, incentives should be provided. One potential solution is to allow landlords to collect a damage deposit from pet owners, which is currently prohibited.

Additional Challenges Faced in Quebec’s Limited Rental Market

Philippe Desmarais, a community organizer with the housing advocacy group POPIR, argues that the presence of “no-pet” clauses only adds unnecessary complexity for tenants searching for affordable units in a limited rental market. He emphasizes that the challenge becomes even greater with Quebec’s moving day approaching, as low vacancy rates and rising rents pose additional obstacles for individuals and families seeking housing.

Advocates Continue to Fight for Inclusive Housing

Gurl and James, determined to find a new place that accommodates their service animals, have even resorted to writing resumes for their two dogs and have filed complaints with Quebec’s Human Rights Tribunal against a landlord who refused to rent to them. Gurl is also utilizing Winston’s Instagram account to advocate for the bill that prohibits “no-pet” clauses, hoping for a positive outcome in their housing search.

As Montreal continues to grapple with the housing crisis, advocates remain committed to ensuring that individuals with service animals have access to affordable housing. By overturning “no-pet” clauses and creating more inclusive housing policies, they aim to create a better living environment for pet owners and their beloved companions.

Overall, this issue brings to light the importance of providing inclusive housing options for individuals with service animals. It is imperative that landlords and policymakers work together to find a balance between protecting the rights of tenants and addressing the concerns raised by landlords. By implementing incentives and creating clear guidelines for pet ownership in rental properties, Montreal can move towards a more inclusive and accommodating housing market.

Sources:

• Montreal SPCA
• Moosejawtoday.com