Montreal Mayor Soraya Martinez Ferrada promised 500 new spaces in warming shelters by Christmas and unveiled new measures to help the homeless population survive the winter.
The city says contracts have been signed to open over 230 of those 500 spots over the next two weeks. They include a mix of mats and chairs.
There are currently 2,458 warming shelter spaces across the city. Martinez Ferrada admits it is not enough to manage the growing homelessness crisis, which she says is her top priority.
With winter having reared its head early, it’s a public health issue, says regional director of public health for the Montreal area, Mylène Drouin.
She says humidity and cold make for a “deadly cocktail” for those sleeping in the street who are vulnerable to hypothermia. There is also a marked increase in substance abuse and overdose deaths in winter months, she adds.
The 500 warming shelter spaces will cost the city about $4.7 million, which Drouin says will come from residual funds.
Though the mayor envisions smaller shelters across all boroughs to make cohabitation more manageable, she and and city councillor Claude Pinard are urging the public to do their part.
They say each tent is a reminder that “we have failed as a society.”
Encampments to be ‘relocated,’ not dismantled
Martinez Ferrada added that the city is creating a crisis unit that will meet weekly to respond to the needs of the city’s homeless population. It will include city officials, public health and representatives from the non-profit sector.
In her election campaign, Martinez Ferrada promised to end homeless encampments in Montreal within four years and now says they will not be dismantled. However, those deemed to be dangerous — like one in a downtown parking lot — will be relocated, she added.
In the meantime, the city is working on a protocol to manage encampments in a way that “respects the dignity of occupants.”
Last week, an encampment in Montreal North was destroyed by city workers. The borough mayor ordered an investigation after what she called a “misunderstanding,” and Martinez Ferrada promises the protocol will be ready by February.
She says the city could even work with the community sector to provide sleeping bags and heating equipment that can be used in tents.
‘The situation is catastrophic’
It’s an approach the community sector has been asking for.
Tania Charron, executive director of the Ricochet shelter, appreciates the city’s responsiveness and tone.
She says it is acting with “a lot of empathy that emphasizes dignity and safety of people experiencing winter on the streets.”
However, she believes over 1,000 shelter spots are needed across the city and people require survival equipment. Ricochet, which welcomes some 80 people per day, still has to turn away over 350 people every week, she says.
“The situation is catastrophic everywhere in Montreal,” Charron says.
The Old Brewery Mission says the city’s vision aligns with its mission, especially when it comes to encampments.
“The more time we have with people in encampments, the more success stories we have,” says spokesperson Etienne Desgagnés.
Charron believes the crisis unit will also be a big help as the system can be difficult to navigate when different actors operate in silos.
Ultimately, the organizations agree that they need more predictability and means for prevention to ensure the city isn’t in crisis management mode each winter.
“We wouldn’t want to sleep in a chair, you wouldn’t want to sleep in a chair, so we’re really looking to permanent solutions,” says Desgagnés.
Those include recurring funds for long-term initiatives and building social housing with the necessary support systems to get off the street.
With files from CTV News Montreal’s Matthew Gilmour, Noovo Info and The Canadian Press
