Sensitive to the insecurity and homelessness that have increased in the Village since the pandemic, many organizations are trying to restore the neighborhood to its former glory, with the help of the administration of Valérie Plante.
“The lack of homelessness and mental health resources has been a constant problem in the Village for years,” laments Samuel Miriello, director of the Rézo organization. It mainly helps homeless people and sex workers from LGBTQ+ communities to find sexual health care or safe places to sleep.
Mr. Miriello understands the growing sense of insecurity that inhabits the residents of the Village. He believes that we must first improve assistance for the most vulnerable people in order to alleviate their psychological distress and relieve the pressure on the entire neighborhood.
“There is a great need for mental health support,” he says. Many people become affected by the most distressed people. We can try to support them, but it’s clear that we need more psychologists. »
Robert Beaudry, City Councilor representing the Saint-Jacques district, of which the Village is a part, was a social worker in the area for many years. “I saw the neighborhood transform,” he says.
This is why the City has launched the “Village Forum”. This is a public consultation that was conducted last summer with “hundreds” of citizens and organizations to guide the municipality on the solutions to adopt.
“The City alone cannot solve everything,” explains Mr. Beaudry. We discussed with the police services, we ensure the maintenance of the neighborhood with the Commercial Development Corporation, we work with organizations like Espace LGBTQ +, ”he says.
“A series of works”
Michel Leblanc, president and CEO of the Chamber of Commerce of Metropolitan Montreal, deplores the “succession of work” that is raging in the area of Place Émilie-Gamelin and the Village. “There are closures of establishments that once generated activity. We witnessed the bursting of the Voyageur terminus and, at the same time, the old terminus, to the north, remains disused. »
This is why the City also intends to present urban planning solutions to the devaluation of the Village. Although Mr. Beaudry cannot move forward immediately on the possible solutions at the end of the Forum, as they will be unveiled later this winter, he nevertheless notes three priorities on which he is committed to working: “ Help merchants, support LGBTQ+ organizations and remedy the large number of vacant premises. »
The councilor also promises, once again, pedestrianization on Sainte-Catherine Street for the summer of 2023. “The neighborhood must once again become a destination. It is the people who will associate with him who will save him. »