No more maximum income threshold for low-income housing in Quebec
The Quebec government says it is lifting the maximum income threshold for low-income housing (HLM), in the hopes of allowing housing offices to offer vacant spaces to a wider clientele if there is no waitlist.
Quebec Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing Andrée Laforest says she believes that relaxing the eligibility criteria for low-cost housing will allow more seniors, families and single people to benefit from less expensive accommodation.
Households living in HLMs currently pay rent that is equal to 25 per cent of their income.
The objective of the new measure is to encourage optimal occupancy of social housing units that have been vacant for more than two years in certain municipalities by allocating them to people whose income exceeds the actual threshold.
Quebecers on a waitlist for social housing in one community will be allowed to apply for a home in another municipality where there are vacant units and no waitlist.
Last May, the government announced the maximum income threshold for HLM eligibility would increase from $21,000 to $27,000.
Laforest says she believes lifting the threshold altogether will provide flexibility that will benefit smaller municipalities with vacant spaces.
-- This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on Jan. 26, 2022.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Gunman kills at least 19 children at Texas elementary school
An 18-year-old gunman opened fire Tuesday at a Texas elementary school, killing at least 19 children as he went from classroom to classroom, officials said, in the latest gruesome moment for a country scarred by a string of massacres. The attacker was killed by law enforcement.

Biden makes urgent call for new firearms restrictions after Texas school shooting
Lamenting a uniquely American tragedy, an anguished and angry U.S. President Joe Biden delivered an urgent call for new restrictions on firearms Tuesday night after a gunman shot and killed 19 children at a Texas elementary school.
Language law Bill 96 adopted, promising sweeping changes for Quebec
Bill 96, the provincial government's controversial legislation aimed at protecting the French language in Quebec, has been adopted in the National Assembly.
U.S. senator begs for gun compromise after Texas shooting
Connecticut U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy, who came to Congress representing Sandy Hook, begged his colleagues to finally pass legislation addressing the nation's gun violence problem as the latest school shooting unfolded Tuesday in Uvalde, Texas.
Society 'may not survive' Putin's war, says billionaire George Soros
Russia's invasion of Ukraine may have marked the start of "a third world war," and Russian President Vladimir Putin must be defeated "as soon as possible" if the world wants to preserve civilization, said billionaire and philanthropist George Soros.
Hedley frontman Jacob Hoggard denies rape allegations at sex assault trial
Canadian musician Jacob Hoggard has emphatically denied raping a teenager and a young woman nearly six years ago, testifying Tuesday that both encounters were consensual and "passionate."
Many Ontario residents could be waiting several days for power after storm
Provincial provider Hydro One said Tuesday afternoon that more than 142,000 customers in parts of Ontario were still without power after a devastating weekend storm.
RCMP suspend flights at Victoria International Airport after suspicious package discovered
Travellers who have a flight planned at Victoria International Airport (YYJ) on Tuesday afternoon are being warned of travel disruptions due to police activity.
Canada sending more artillery to Ukraine, 'crucial' to fight against Russia: Anand
Canada is sending an additional 20,000 rounds of ammunition to Ukraine for the Ukrainian military to use in its ongoing defence against the Russians. This ammunition—155mm calibre, as well as fuses and charge bags—is being donated, but comes at a cost of $98 million, according to the federal government.