Single mom says landlords turning her away because her autistic son has service dog
CTV
After six long months of searching for a new home, Isabelle Leblanc says time is running out. The single mother says she's been rejected dozens of times because her five-year-old son with autism has a service dog.
After six long months of searching for a new home, Isabelle Leblanc says time is running out.
The single mother says she's been rejected dozens of times because her five-year-old son with autism has a service dog.
She separated from her children's father two years ago and lives with her mom but is looking for a place to call her own.
Her son, Olivier, lives with autism and Mishka, the service dog, is vital. Leblanc says he can hit her or break things when he is in crisis, but Mishka calms him down.
For six months, she's been searching for a rental place in Terrebonne, Repentigny, and the Lachenaie areas, but says she always gets turned away because of the dog.
"The market is just so difficult for tenants," said Margaret van Nooten of Project Genesis, non-profit organization that helps tenants know their rights.
Van Nooten says times are very tough for all renters, especially ones with animals.