Quebec Homeowner Faces Impractical Choice: Demolish or Rebuild Amidst Rot Crisis, without Aid
MONTREAL – Geneviève Racine, a homeowner in Quebec, is confronting a devastating financial reality: either demolish her home for an estimated $386,000 or attempt a renovation of the crawl space alone costing $180,000, both options far exceeding available financial assistance and potentially her mortgage value. The crisis stems from a severe case of merule, a wood-decaying fungus, threatening the structural integrity of her property and leaving her family’s future in limbo.
racine’s predicament highlights a growing problem for homeowners in the province battling the destructive fungus, particularly as winter approaches – conditions merule thrives in. “It is indeed certainly worrying, and right now, my daughters are seized,” Racine stated.”They are not really sick in general, and there, I wonder is it because there is the merule? And winter is coming, I have to leave the calorifers! The merule likes 20 degrees, the humidity, the insulation which was poorly made, I have all the elements combined.”
The situation is compounded by the recent suspension of a provincial assistance program in March that offered a maximum of $150,000 for demolition or $90,000 for decontamination – amounts insufficient to cover the full costs Racine faces. A previously offered subsidy from Rénoclimat for window and door renovations is unusable, as Racine questions the value of further investment while the fungal issue remains unresolved. “If I continue to invest for something othre than the merule, is it worth it?” she asked. “Or do I stop everything and I give up?”
The potential consequences are dire. according to experts, merule infestation can lead to complete building demolition or abandonment. Ms. dufour, another homeowner facing similar issues, added, “When a merule arrives in a house, it is a disaster… It is terrible to have to wonder if we will continue to live in our house. In addition that we are in housing crisis, there are not everywhere that are easy to access.”
Racine is now awaiting advice from her financial institution, facing the agonizing prospect of selling her possessions, demolishing her home, or relinquishing the keys altogether. “I am waiting for the advice of the cash register. If I have help, ok, otherwise I let go. I am no longer able,” she concluded. “Of course I want to stay and have a healthy house for my children.”
