Muhammad studies at the University of Montreal in mathematics and statistics. If he is on track to obtain his baccalaureate degree, it is thanks to his persistence, but also thanks to the help of the Foyer des Jeunes Travailleurs et Travaileuses de Montréal, which provided him with a roof over his head for about ten months. .
Previously, he lived with his family on the east side of the island of Montreal, and had to travel nearly four hours a day by public transportation to his classes on the other side of the city. I arrived late for classes. It was really frustrating
He explains.
Muhammad had thought about looking for a shared apartment or a place in student accommodation. But his family's income was modest, and since he was studying full-time, he could not work enough to cover his needs.
I just didn't have the means. Apartment in Montreal, it is not possible to pay this amount. Housing is also expensive, and there are waiting lists.
Mohammed, sitting in his room at the Foyer des Jeunes Travailleurs et Travailleuses de Montréal, is doing the work required for a bachelor's degree course in mathematics and statistics.
Photography: Radio-Canada/Patrick-Andre Perron
He learned from a friend about the Foyer des Jeunes Travailleurs, one of the 32 member organizations of the Auberges du coeur du Québec network, which offered him a room at a low rent. I'm really grateful to be here. It allows me to move forward and focus on my studies
“, trust.
Stability to move forward: Saïna's story
Saïna Chelsea Edmond has just started her Diploma of Professional Studies in Accounting. She dreams of starting her own business in the field of cosmetics.
The 20-year-old has a complicated and interrupted school career, and a history full of pitfalls.
If she can find enough stability to successfully return to school, it will be because Ressource Jeunesse de Saint-Laurent welcomed her to the supervised residential building in September.
The speakers support me on a daily basis. They made me see that school can be an important gateway to realizing one's dreams
Says.
Today, she carefully plans to decorate her first apartment, which she is very proud of.
Saïna Chelsea Edmond is grateful to have been chosen to stay in a Ressource Jeunesse de Saint-Laurent apartment.
Photography: Radio-Canada/Patrick-Andre Perron
In addition to housing, which costs 25% of her income, she receives food aid if necessary, as well as psychological and social assistance. We have an intervention plan, and we are supervised. Sometimes I want to leave [mes études]. But with all this help, it gives me the strength to keep going.
I'm less stressed. I can study and go to school without breaking down because I have a bill in my head.
The housing crisis has created a new problem Customer base
Foyer des Jeunes Travailleurs de Montréal and Ressource Jeunesse Saint-Laurent are two member organizations of the Auberges du coeur group whose mission is to provide housing for young people in difficulty and at risk of homelessness.
However, they are welcoming more and more students like Mohamed and Sina. Above all, they receive an increasing number of applications of this type, not all of which can be accepted.
The source of the phenomenon? The housing crisis, the lack of affordable student housing across Quebec and the high cost of living are all factors that disempower young people who already have difficult career paths, says Sébastien Lanouette, vice president of the organization.
Sébastien Lanouette has worked in the community sector for three decades. He noticed a new phenomenon emerging: more and more students were seeking help from accommodation resources for youth facing difficulties.
Photography: Radio-Canada/Patrick-Andre Perron
We are not primarily a student house. But we see more and more young students with poverty-related problems who come to us. All because they cannot get housing.
We jeopardize their ability to continue their studies and pursue a life project that will make them more independent.
Sorry.
Foyer des Jeunes Travailleurs' general manager, Aurélie Sassias, admits that last year a quarter of its residents were post-secondary students. She explained that many of them were foreign students or young people from under-resourced migrant backgrounds.
Some young people are not lucky enough to have parents who can pay for their education or provide housing for them. They meet at our house. I am happy to be able to offer it to them [de l’aide]But it makes me desperate
says Ms. Sassias, frustrated.
We should not make up for aid shortfalls [gouvernementales] To the students. But we have a social profession here, so it's natural that we support them.
For her, the lack of access and affordability of student housing is a significant factor in the problem. Find the situation Disgust
, abandoned
.
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