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The $500-million problem, part two Social housing and tenants' groups won a big victory at the time of the provincial budget last spring, when the PQ government agreed to put $43 million into the purchase and renovation of 18,000 non-profit housing units for each of the next five years. >> But for its upcoming 1998 budget, City Hall hasn't yet shown an equal commitment to the program. The Bourque administration won't make any firm decision on social housing before talks end on the $500-million bill to municipalities, but housing groups view that as an excuse to not show them the money. >> "A clear stand should not depend on what happens with the $500-million bill," said Denyse Lacelle, an organizer with Project Genesis, a member organization of the Front d'action populaire en réaménagement urbain (FRAPRU). "It should be a priority for the City of Montreal, anyway, anyhow." >> FRAPRU and other housing groups demand that Montreal commit at least $4 million out of a $2-billion budget for social housing next year, especially given the ever-worsening housing situation. Lacelle cites Montreal's announcement of $5 million for the Faubourg Quebec condo project as proof that money is available for housing--though not necessarily for low-income groups. She also notes that some of the $43 million earmarked by the province remains up for grabs this year. >> A coalition of housing groups plans to turn up the heat on City Hall in the coming weeks. --Wayne Hiltz
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