Montreal to install trailers in Notre-Dame encampment this winter

The City of Montreal will install trailers as emergency transitional housing in the Notre-Dame encampment in the Mercier-Hochelaga-Maisonneuve borough this winter.

Starting in December, three trailers will offer 36 bunk beds, shower, kitchen and medical and support services to shelter some of the unhoused people living in tents. According to a census by La Presse, there were 200 tents in the encampment earlier this fall.

“Thirty-six beds, woohoo, we’re 5,000 people in Montreal who do not have an apartment,” said Chantale Dubreuil, who is experiencing homelessness, living in the Notre-Dame street encampment. “I will go if it’s too cold, you know. But no, because that’s not what I need.” 

At a press conference Monday, Montreal Mayor Soraya Martinez said the supervised facility, dubbed as a “transition hub”, offers a temporary alternative to living on the street.

“Those welcomed there will not only find a safe place, but also a bed, support, and the time needed to catch their breath and plan for the future,” said Martinez Ferrada said. “This project adds a vital link to more sustainable resources, so that more people can begin a journey toward ending homelessness.

“Rather than sleeping in a tent on the floor and sleeping (outside), I think this is the right solution, in the short-term, that gives them dignity, that gives them shelter with water, with food. And that’s what these Montrealers need right now.” 

“In fact, it’s an additional alternative for housing people, to prevent them from freezing to death this winter,” said Sophie Gagnon, the director of the Urban Security Program, L’Anonyme. “The idea is really to provide transitional accommodation.”

The funding for emergency shelter comes from the city, which has invested $1.4 million towards the purchase and install the trailers, while the services offered onsite will be funded using a part of the $18-million winter package announced by Premier Paul St-Pierre Plamondon who is also the minister responsible for the fight against homelessness.

“We are pleased to see the results of this great project today,” said Ariane Boyer, parliamentary assistant of the premier.

The trailers will be located at a vacant lot near Notre-Dame East and Sicard streets and managed by the neighbourhood community organization L’Anonyme.

“No single organization can tackle an issue as complex as homelessness on its own,” said Benoit Langevin, the executive committee member responsible for social development and coexistence. “It is by working hand in hand with L’Anonyme and the health-care network that we have been able to develop a project tailored to the realities on the ground.”

The city says the project was developed as an alternative for some of unhoused people who do not access traditional shelter and support services.

“There’s 36 beds, 15 of those will be for women and trans and LGBTQ+ citizens. And, yes, they will be separate and they have their own space,” said Martinez Ferrada.

A third of the space will be set aside for women and transgender individuals. Pets will be allowed in the space.

“(That’s) very important because we (experience) a lot of sexual, psychological violence from the men. So it’s important to separate the women from the men,” said Dalida Sorwa, who is experiencing homelessness in Montreal.

Welcome Hall Mission will also be working to find more permanent housing solutions for people at the encampment. 

“We’re going to get involved with, to the extent that we can register people to get them into permanent housing. Because that’s what everybody wants ultimately, and that’s what our objective should be, is to accompany people on a pathway back towards something that’s secure, that’s affordable, and that’s permanent,” said Sam Watts, CEO and executive director of Welcome Hall Mission.

This site is expected to be up and running by Christmas. 

“It’s not 36 beds, that’s going to be a ‘hooha’ No. Well, why not tell me that I might have a chance to have bed that’s mine in, inside four walls? You know, not something that’s supervised or something I’ve never had before. A normal apartment, you know?” said Dubreuil.