In an effort to deal with the homelessness crisis, the City of Montreal is building 90 temporary modular housing units slated to open in the spring.
The homes will resemble shelters used on construction sites. The city plans to build three developments, each with 30 units. Residents will have their own rooms, a common space, a shared kitchen and washroom.
“It’s something else that we can do quickly to respond to the needs of people who don’t have any option,” said Robert Beaudry, the city’s executive committee member responsible for homelessness.
The three sites include the Hippodrome in NDG, Louvain Street West in the Ahuntsic-Cartierville borough, and a third location that has not yet been made public.
The homes are only temporary, Beaudry said. Residents can stay there between two and four years.
“So, it’s going to be this in between, and it’s going to leave more spaces in the shelter for people who have more important issues,” Beaudry said
Recent provincial numbers show there are 5,000 visibly homeless people in Montreal.
James Hughes, president and CEO of the Old Brewery Mission, says the pilot project is needed.
“Organizations like the Old Brewery are, unfortunately, full to overflowing. And we’re not the only ones,” he told CTV News.
For months, tensions between residents and the homeless population have been growing in some parts of the city, with some reporting an increase of crime and drug use.
Last month, Mayor Valérie Plante said the province hasn’t been doing its share to help with the housing crisis. However, with this project, Beaudry says the city will be building the homes and the province will be providing social assistance.
In addition to that, starting Monday, the city’s public consultation office will be hearing from stakeholders to discuss new solutions to the homelessness crisis. A report will be published in June.
In the meantime, construction on the modular housing units will begin in March and residents will be able to move into their new home in April.
