Latest victim of gentrification in Saint-Henri? An anti-gentrification group

A tenants' rights group in Montreal's Saint-Henri districtsays it has become a casualty of the verygentrification it has been fighting against.

Sandrine Belley, a community organizer with POPIR, says the building where the organization rents space has been sold, and the new owners plan to raise the rent to market value.

POPIR's office is on Notre-Dame Street, near Place-Saint-Henri Metro station.

The streetscape has changed dramatically since the organization moved in 15 years ago. It's now dotted with upscalecafs,restaurants and boutiques.

Belley said POPIR's new landlord hopes to change the building'szoning and hike the rent.

"We are not able to pay because we are a community organization," said Belley.

POPIR was founded in1969 and has always been located in Saint-Henri, until now.

In its early days, POPIR focused on defending the rights of low-income Montrealers.

In 1989, the organization decided to devote itself to housing issuesand continues to lobby against rising rents and helpindividual tenants defend their rights.

Belley said the group hasfound a new location in Little Burgundy, but she warns that what is happening to POPIRis a symptomof a larger problem in the district.

"The low-income tenants are being pushed out," said Belley, and there are fewer and fewer services for them.

"Often when we think of gentrification, we think it will bring services in the neighbourhood. But it's doing the opposite, actually."

There is no provincial law limiting rent increaseson commercial leases.

The Southwestborough has been trying for years to pressure the provincial and federal government to pass legislation to help keep commercial rental ratesdown.