On September 1, 2026, the Quebec housing tribunal issued an order permitting the majority of a Montreal family, who had been living in their car and camping in the driveway of their Ahuntsic duplex, to move into the property. The ruling marks a shift from the temporary shelter situation that had persisted while a housing dispute involving the family was being resolved.
The family had taken up residence in the driveway of the duplex after losing access to conventional housing, relying on their vehicle for sleeping arrangements. Their presence in the driveway continued throughout the period during which the dispute over the duplex was under consideration by the tribunal.
The tribunal’s decision specifically authorizes most members of the family to occupy the duplex. The order does not detail the exact composition of those who are permitted to move in, nor does it specify any conditions attached to the move. The language of the decision indicates that the tribunal has addressed the immediate need for shelter while the broader dispute remains open.
By allowing the family to transition from the driveway into the interior of the duplex, the tribunal aims to address the humanitarian aspect of the case without concluding the underlying legal issues. The family’s prior reliance on the driveway as a makeshift campsite underscores the precarious nature of their housing situation.
The ruling comes after a period in which the family’s living conditions were characterized by the use of their car for sleeping and the driveway for daily activities. The tribunal’s order therefore represents an official acknowledgment that the family’s circumstances have evolved to a point where residence within the duplex is permissible.
While the tribunal has not resolved the entire housing dispute, the permission for most family members to move into the property provides a concrete step toward stability for those involved.