Montreal plans 24/7 homeless shelter in Ahuntsic-Cartierville

The city of Montreal is planning to open a new 24 hours a day, seven days a week homeless shelter in Ahuntsic-Cartierville that will serve up to 50 people experiencing homelessness. 

“We need to offer them a roof and services so that they can get ahead and find a job, find an apartment, and really, the center, it’s that,” said Émilie Thuillier, the Projet Montréal borough mayor for Ahuntsic-Cartierville.

People living in the neighbourhood are already voicing their safety concerns because the shelter will be located not far from a daycare, a community health centre and a long-term care centre. 

“We know it’s an important issue in Montreal, but not in this neighborhood,” said Maria who lives in the near vicinity of the planned Ahuntsic-Cartierville homeless shelter, adding, “we’re especially concerned for our security. There are many children in the neighbourhood, as well as older people who are vulnerable.”

“The concerns are mostly for the children. We’re concerned for more criminality. We’re concerned for our security.”

“The only thing I don’t like here, because you have so many daycares, you have schools, you know, something can happen to them, you know,” said Mario Gazzola who also lives near the planned 24/7 shelter.

“My concern is there’s gonna be people all over the place around here, and what about our safety? That’s what I’m concerned about,” said Gracia Gazzola, also living close to the shelter.

To address concerns, the borough mayor says that there is a team in place working on the transition of the shelter into the community.

“Community organization, the borough, the CIUSSS, the police, and they all work together from 10 years ago, but they will continue to work together in this particular sector. Next week, they will go door to door to talk to people, to explain what’s coming on and how we can manage it,” said Thuillier.

Residents living near the shelter CityNews Montreal spoke to said that community consultation has been very limited. The city of Montreal did host a public online information session on Wednesday and residents were able to participate virtually. To make their message clear, residents have already sent a petition to the borough mayor.

“There’s been a petition of close to a thousand names that were already done and handed into the mayor, Émilie Thuillier, and she doesn’t even seem to take our concerns into mind. We’re asking for a delay,” said Maria.

The planned homeless shelter is referred to as the Centre Bois-de-Boulogne and is expected to open in August after another shelter in Verdun closes at the end of July. 

“I feel sorry, I know they need help and everything,” said Gracia Gazzola. “You know, it’s not just giving them a shelter. These people have to be followed up. That’s the whole thing. So I am concerned because I think they should choose another place.”