Red Cross

By Chelsey St-Pierre
The Suburban

Nearly two weeks after a devastating overnight fire gutted a co-op housing complex in Pierrefonds-Roxboro, more than forty residents are still living in limbo, unsure about where they will go once their temporary shelter arrangements end.

The blaze, which struck in the early hours of May 28, forced families to evacuate. While emergency crews responded quickly and there were no reports of life threatening injuries, the building sustained extensive damage, rendering it uninhabitable.

In the immediate aftermath, the Red Cross provided emergency shelter and basic necessities, offering residents a place to stay and a brief respite from the chaos. That support, however, is designed to address the short term needs of displaced persons on an emergency basis.

As the days pass, those affected are facing the harsh reality of finding somewhere else to live and replacing their belongings. With the end of the Red Cross assistance looming, families are left scrambling for long-term housing solutions.

Residents of Pierrefonds-Roxboro, as part of the City of Montreal, qualify for additional municipal support. This can include temporary housing, reimbursement for moving and storage costs, and assistance from the Office municipal d’habitation de Montréal (OMHM) in searching for a new home. Even so, the process is often slow and overwhelming. Many of those displaced have lost most or all of what they owned and must now navigate unfamiliar housing systems, all while coping with the trauma of losing their homes.

The broader housing landscape in the West Island adds another layer of difficulty. Only about one in five homes in the area are rentals, and social housing is scarce—making up just a small fraction of available units. For moderate- or low-income families, this means the options for affordable, suitable accommodation are extremely limited, especially at short notice. Competition for available apartments is high, and some families fear they may have nowhere to go once their emergency shelter ends.

Community organizations and local leaders have called for support, urging anyone who can offer housing, donations, or resources to step forward. The sense of community has become a lifeline for those affected, as neighbours, volunteers, and advocacy groups work to fill the gaps left by official assistance. Another factor, the rise of rents since the pandemic has skyrocketed. For residents who benefitted from lower rental costs, affording an apartment available on the market is, in many cases, not possible.

Meanwhile, the cause of the fire remains under investigation, and the uncertainty around what triggered the blaze has added to residents’ anxiety. For the families left picking up the pieces, the coming days are critical. With emergency aid set to run out, many are desperate for stable solutions and worried about what comes next.

The Pierrefonds-Roxboro fire has thrown a spotlight on just how vulnerable many Montrealers are in the face of disaster. Although city programs are in place to help, the shortage of affordable housing means that for dozens of families, finding a new place to call home is far from guaranteed. The community is rallying, but it’s clear that lasting solutions—and more robust safety nets—are needed to prevent future tragedies from leaving so many people without a place to turn. n