Homelessness in Montreal | “How many deaths will we face this winter?”

The signs do not lie: winter will be particularly difficult for the homeless, estimates the Support Network for Single and Homeless People of Montreal (RAPSIM). The organization 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.

Even if it is increased in anticipation of cold weather, the number of places in shelters will not be able 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 a lack of reception places,” maintains M^me Daigle.

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

In mid-October, The Press revealed that the Coroner’s Office had 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”

RAPSIM speaks of a “humanitarian crisis”. The organization recognizes that the situation is difficult for everyone and that there are no easy answers. But “the community cannot be the only one on the front,” he insists.

RAPSIM was not able to quantify its requests more precisely on Tuesday. 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. Mobilizing CIUSSS staff and temporarily transforming hotels into shelters are among the actions that could be taken.

RAPSIM is especially concerned to see different bodies moving in the other direction. He reports growing “hostility” towards homeless people. M^me Daigle also regrets that so-called “informal” places, such as the entrances to shops and metro stations, close their doors to them.

Montreal wants help

The mayor of Montreal, Valérie Plante, approves the exit of community organizations. “I understand their concerns,” she reiterated Tuesday. And it’s very important for me to say to the provincial and federal governments: “Find a solution.” »

His administration is calling on governments to release “immediately” the $100 million from a $250 million fund announced by Ottawa in September 2024. “We are still waiting for the amounts and sites that could be opened in the short term,” insisted M.^me Plante.

For its part, the office of the minister responsible for Social Services, Lionel Carmant, reiterated Tuesday its desire to conclude an agreement with the federal government. However, details remain to be worked out, particularly in relation to accountability and the conditions that Ottawa wishes to impose for the use of the sums paid.

To “speed things up,” Minister Carmant plans to meet this week with his federal counterpart, Sean Fraser, it was indicated.

Valérie Plante recalled that last week, a homeless person died in the Mercier–Hochelaga-Maisonneuve borough. Two others were also found dead recently downtown. “We cannot accept, in a rich society like ours, that people die in the street,” said the mayor.

Nevertheless, “the streets of Montreal cannot become housing or an open-air hospital, and it is the same thing for the metro,” observed M^me Plant. She was 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.

Read the article “The STM closes an Atwater metro entrance for the winter”

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

With Isabelle Ducas, La Presse