While the housing crisis hits Quebec households hard, particularly those with low incomes, it is also difficult for people struggling with mental health problems. A new residence has opened its doors in the Saint-Michel district with 23 housing units intended for this clientele in difficulty.
Led by the non-profit organization Le Mûrier, the Maison des Papillons was inaugurated on Monday. “Hope is an engine of recovery. For the people who will stay here, the butterfly house is a major lever to improve the conditions and their prospects of life,” explained Pierre Mercier, president of the Mûrier board which has six residences.
These are 23 social housing units for residents who will be able to benefit from support services. Eleven housing units, studios with a kitchen, will accommodate permanent tenants who will be able to benefit from a rent supplement. The project also offers twelve transitional rooms for people referred by hospitals and who are preparing to regain greater autonomy. “The notion of “transitional” is not in terms of time, but rather in terms of service needs,” explained Alex Chayer, general director of Le Mûrier. “Every year, the person will be evaluated by the treatment team supporting them, whether it is a social worker or a psychiatrist. […]. So, as long as she needs our services, we will keep the person. »
The Minister responsible for Housing, France-Élaine Duranceau, the Federal Minister of Tourism, Soraya Martinez Ferrada, and Mayor Valérie Plante participated in the inauguration of the Maison des Papillons. This project does not come from the affordable housing program set up in 2022 by Quebec to accelerate the construction of housing, but rather from the former AccèsLogis program. “In the coming months, you will see shovelfuls of ground for affordable housing program projects. It’s normal. It takes three years between ideation and delivery,” said Minister Duranceau. This new program will make it possible to build 2,574 new housing units, or 47 projects, across Quebec, the minister recently confirmed.
Ottawa invested 2.5 million in this project while Quebec, through the Société d’habitation du Québec (SHQ), paid 1.5 million in addition to a subsidy of $44,000 for construction services. accompaniments.
A mayor on the campaign trail
Asked about the survey carried out by Projet Montréal to test the popularity of potential opponents during the municipal elections of November 2025, as reported The Press On Saturday, Mayor Plante admitted that she was already preparing for the electoral battle. “People who know me know that. I like election campaigns. I like being on the field. I am happy that the whole party is already in motion for the next electoral campaign. » However, she did not want to comment on the possible candidates. In its survey, Projet Montréal notably cited the names of the federal Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mélanie Joly, her colleague from Transport, Pablo Rodriguez, the former CEO of Hydro-Québec, Sophie Brochu, as well as the president of the Chamber of Commerce of Metropolitan Montreal, Michel Leblanc.
According to Valérie Plante, such a survey also allows us to know if the party is still “connected” to Montrealers. “That’s how we managed to win twice because we had a clear game plan,” she said.