Most members of a Montreal family camping in the driveway of their Ahuntsic duplex will be allowed to move into the property on Sept. 1 after a ruling by Quebec’s housing tribunal.
Armelle Foka and her family of nine have been living in a trailer parked in the driveway of their property for three weeks.
Foka purchased the duplex in late 2025 and filed a repossession request for both apartments with Quebec’s housing tribunal.
According to court documents, Foka, her four kids and her two sisters had planned to move into one of the units, while her parents would move into the other.
The tenants challenged that repossession request in front of the tribunal and stayed in the units.
Last week, Foka told CBC her family had nowhere to go while they waited for the decision, so they ended up renting a trailer.
On July 17, the province’s housing tribunal ruled partially in Foka’s favour, ordering tenants living on the main floor to vacate the unit by August 31. Foka was ordered to cover their moving costs, set at $3,500.
However, Foka’s parents’ immigration status was considered “too precarious” to guarantee they would live in the other unit permanently.
Montreal duplex dispute leaves family in a trailer, tenants facing uncertainty
The ruling explains that in order for a dwelling repossession to be granted, the tribunal must balance the owner’s right to enjoy their property as they see fit with the tenant’s right to keep their home. The judge said there can’t be any uncertainty regarding the plan’s feasibility.
“The Tribunal doesn’t doubt the landlord wishes to house her mother so she can support and assist her in taking care of the children as well as daily chores,” the ruling reads.
“However, the landlord’s mother, who is from Cameroon, holds a Canadian visitor visa that expires in 2028.”
The tribunal explained that the visa doesn’t guarantee Foka’s mother a permanent Canadian immigrant status.
More than 2,000 Quebec households stranded without a lease after July 1
Court documents also state that, at the time of the hearing, Foka’s father was in Cameroon, with plans to join the family in Montreal once the apartment became available.
The tenants ordered to leave by the end of August told CBC they’re already looking for another place to live.
