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Part of Montreal family camping outside its duplex allowed to move
in, Quebec housing tribunal rules

   Paula Dayan-Perez
   | CBC News | Posted: July 20, 2026 6:58 PM | Last Updated: 19
   hours ago

   Tenants living in one of the units will have to move out, while
   those in the other will be able to stay

   Image | Florence Meffeu Foka

   Caption: Florence Meffeu Foka, Armelle Foka's mother, will not
   be able to move into one of the duplex's units because of her
   legal status. (Paula Dayan-Perez/CBC)
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   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.

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