William Crooks
Raïs Kibonge speaks at the announcement outside Faubourg Mena’sen as Sarah Rahimaly looks on during the campaign event
By William Crooks
Local Journalism Initiative
Standing outside the Faubourg Mena’sen on Sept. 23, Raïs Kibonge, candidate for mayor of Sherbrooke and leader of Sherbrooke Citoyen, unveiled a three-part housing strategy aimed at taking units out of the speculative market, boosting social and community housing, and speeding up renovations in the municipal housing stock.
The choice of location was deliberate. Faubourg Mena’sen has become a symbol of Sherbrooke’s housing crisis after residents faced uncertainty and upheaval during recent ownership changes. “We must act to prevent human and social tragedies like the one we witnessed here,” Kibonge said, flanked by party members and supporters.
“This is about building a city where the right to housing is not a luxury, but a reality for all,” he added. “Families, seniors, and young people deserve homes that respect their budgets. No one should have to choose between rent and groceries.”
Kibonge explained that his party would support community non-profits (OBNLs) in acquiring rental buildings to protect them from speculation, with the city offering financial backing or municipal guarantees to strengthen their ability to act quickly in competitive transactions.
The second part of the plan is a commitment to progressively raise annual investments in social and community housing from the current $8 million to $12 million by 2029. The move, he said, aligns with Sherbrooke’s housing policy adopted earlier this year, which sets a target of 20 per cent of all housing being out of the private market.
The final measure focuses on renovations. Beginning in 2026, Sherbrooke Citoyen promises an additional $1.5 million annually for refurbishing municipal housing units. “Too many apartments remain vacant while waiting for repairs,” Kibonge noted. “We will make sure no Sherbrookois lives in precarious conditions.”
Sarah Rahimaly, Sherbrooke Citoyen’s candidate in the Pin-Solitaire district, underlined the urgency of the crisis. “Housing is no longer just a matter of availability, but of human dignity,” she said. “The saga around Faubourg Mena’sen must not happen again. Families, seniors, and young people should not have to live in insecurity.”
During the media scrum, Kibonge fielded questions about how the city would finance the new commitments. Asked if property taxes would rise to cover the additional $4 million in annual investment, he replied, “Not only will we not raise taxes for this, but we will manage better. More people are moving to Sherbrooke, new projects are being built, and that brings in new revenues. This is about sound management”.
Pressed on whether $12 million was enough given the scale of need, Kibonge admitted it was not. “Twelve million is not enough, but it is what we can do right now. We started at $2 million, then $4, then $8. By aiming for $12 million by 2029, we give ourselves room to increase progressively and bring in other partners,” he said.
On renovations, Kibonge drew on his experience as former president of the Office municipal d’habitation (OMH). He explained that about 60 to 80 units are typically turned over each year, and the city must keep pace to ensure they can be returned to service quickly. “Renovation brings faster results than new construction,” he said.
Both Kibonge and Rahimaly framed the plan as part of a wider effort to reshape Sherbrooke’s housing market. “We want a city where housing is managed by the community,” Rahimaly said.