The opposition facing several projects for the homeless “is not acceptable” and Montrealers must prepare to see these places multiply, said Friday the boss of the Old Brewery Mission.
James Hugues participated in the announcement of an envelope of 57 million from Quebec and Ottawa to finance the opening or maintenance of 51 facilities intended for the most vulnerable.
“It must be said: this means that organizations will be more and more present in different neighborhoods across the city,” said James Hugues, CEO of Old Brewery, at a press conference.
“I think of all the projects where there are residential communities around which say: “no, no, not here”. It’s not acceptable. This is not an acceptable response in my opinion,” he continued.
It’s okay to be nervous, to be worried, but everyone has to do their part.
James Hughes, CEO of the Old Brewery Mission
Mr. Hugues participated in the announcement because the envelope includes funds for several projects of his organization.
In recent weeks, the issues of cohabitation between homeless people and neighbors have made the headlines several times. The problems at Maison Benoit-Labre, in the South-West, particularly attracted attention.
“There is always a way to get along”
Friday noon, on the same stage, Quebec Minister of Social Services Lionel Carmant did not want to repeat Mr. Hugues’ words.
“We have to work with the different populations, the different neighborhoods to explain to them what is going to be done, explain to them what we can do and make the projects acceptable,” said Mr. Carmant. “There is always a way to agree on a solution. That’s what we do. »
The elected official responsible for homelessness at the City of Montreal, Robert Beaudry, defended the City of Montreal’s approach to choosing sites intended to accommodate shelters.
PHOTO CHARLES WILLIAM PELLETIER, ARCHIVES SPECIAL COLLABORATION
Robert Beaudry
“We are always in touch with the populations when we implement services. Obviously, this is not before the acquisitions [de bâtiments] that we talk with the population, because we are involved in real estate strategies. However, we want to involve them,” he said. But be careful: “this is not a referendum, we are not putting into play the option of doing or not doing a project for vulnerable populations in a neighborhood. We do them. »
The Press reported Friday morning that the City of Montreal is currently purchasing a building in Ahuntsic-Cartierville to install the borough’s first emergency shelter.
The Bois-de-Boulogne Center, located on the street of the same name, “will be able to accommodate up to 50 people experiencing homelessness,” says Montreal.
A CPE located a hundred meters away and a neighboring religious community have already expressed their opposition to the project.