'I don't want to end up in the streets': Montrealers struggle to find housing as July 1 approaches

July 1 — moving day — is fast approaching, and some families are worried they may find themselves homeless because of the shortage of apartments. One single mother says she's getting shunned by landlords because she has children.

After moving from the Beauce region, Naomy Guerin is couch-surfing at a friend's place on Montreal's South Shore. She knew there was a housing shortage, but nothing of this magnitude.

"I went to all the online classified sites: Marketplace, Kijiji, Les Pacs," Guerin said. "But prices are either well above my means or owners don't call back."

The 25-year-old works for minimum wage at a fast-food restaurant. Her budget is $1,300 per month for housing, which is within the average for a two-bedroom apartment.

In the Beauce, her last apartment cost her roughly $600 per month.

But she faces one major obstacle with landlords in Montreal: "As soon as I say I have two children, I'm told it won't be possible because it might disturb neighbours," she said.

She has one child about to enter Grade 1 and a two-month-old baby at home.

This form of discrimination is forbidden by law. But like most parents in her situation, she isn't equipped to fight landlords if she wants to find something. Guerin also cast a vast net to find something.