Two buildings in Montreal’s east end have been sitting vacant for five years while residents in the neighbourhood say it’s wasted space in a city desperate for housing. The buildings on Liebert Street in the Mercier-Hochelaga-Maisonneuve borough are boarded up and neighbours say it’s an eyesore. They point out cracks are forming between the brick walls and the buildings are falling apart, while others say the empty buildings attract squatters. Most agree that amid a housing crisis, it’s a lost opportunity. Housing advocacy group FRAPRU says neighbours’ concerns and frustrations are warranted, especially as rents keep going up. “Then 10 years ago, you were able to find a five-and-a-half for $500 to $700 [a month], and few years later, it’s impossible to find those prices,” says FRAPRU spokesperson Catherine Lussier. The buildings were once part of a housing co-op, but Quebec’s housing corporation (SHQ) took ownership of the apartments in 2020. The SHQ says the buildings are unlivable. Still, Lussier hopes the properties won’t be written off. “We consider that the Quebec government has a responsibility to be sure and to maintain those assets for the community,” she said. The SHQ said in a statement it is conducting an analysis and weighing its options, including putting the buildings up for sale. Until then, they will remain boarded up, empty, and unused in a city where many are still searching for an affordable place to call home.
