Homelessness in Montreal | The lack of places in shelters criticized

Winter is upon us. And everything indicates that it will be particularly difficult for the homeless, according to the Assistance Network for Single and Homeless People of Montreal (RAPSIM), which is sounding the alarm about the lack of accommodation places.

“How many frostbite, amputations and deaths will we face this winter? », Worries Maryane Daigle, community organizer at RAPSIM.

The number of places in shelters – increased in anticipation of the cold season – will not be enough to meet the increased needs during this critical period, fears the community organization. “A large number of people experiencing homelessness will be forced to stay in the cold or in dangerous situations due to lack of shelter. »

M^me Daigle argued Tuesday that even the most optimistic scenario of 300 new places would be insufficient. RAPSIM therefore turns to governments and expects them to “act according to their population responsibility”. Asked which actors should do more, community organizer Maryane Daigle especially insisted that the levels “stop passing the buck.”

In mid-October, The Press revealed that the Coroner’s Office recorded no less than 72 deaths among Quebec’s homeless population in 2023, compared to only around twenty per year from 2019 to 2021.

Read the file “Three times more deaths of homeless people in Quebec”

“Humanitarian crisis”

Speaking of a “humanitarian crisis”, RAPSIM recognizes that the situation is difficult for everyone and has no easy answer, but argues that “the community cannot be the only one on the front”.

However, the organization was not in a position on Tuesday to quantify its requests more precisely. M^me Daigle estimates, however, that a thousand people – “and maybe even more” – risk finding themselves on the streets this winter.

To alleviate the crisis immediately, it does not hesitate to turn its gaze towards the pandemic period, when emergency measures were put in place. “CIUSSS staff mobilized” and “openness [temporaire] of hotels” are among the actions that could be taken.

Above all, RAPSIM is concerned to see different authorities moving in the other direction: it reports a growing “hostility” towards homeless people. M^me Daigle also regrets seeing so-called “informal” places, such as the entrances to shops and metro stations, closing their doors to them.

Montreal wants help

The mayor of Montreal, Valérie Plante, says she is in agreement with the exit of community organizations. “I understand their concern. And it’s very important for me to say to the provincial and federal governments: find a solution,” she reiterated Tuesday.

His administration is calling on governments to bring down “immediately” the 100 million dollars resulting from a fund of 250 million announced by the federal government in September 2024. “We are still waiting for the sums and the sites which could be opened in the short term. term,” insisted M^me Plante.

She deplored the fact that just last month, a homeless person died in Mercier–Hochelaga-Maisonneuve. “We cannot accept in a rich society like ours that people die in the street. »

However, “the streets of Montreal cannot become housing or an open-air hospital, and it is the same thing for the metro,” said the mayor. She was thus referring to the report of The Presswhich reported Tuesday that the Société de transport de Montréal (STM) had closed the Atwater metro entrance at Cabot Square for the winter, due to problems with consumption, mischief and incivility.

“We need real human and dignified solutions,” concluded M.^me Plante, calling for efforts to be focused on the fight against homelessness, but also against drug addiction and mental health problems.