Unlike Montreal and Quebec, the City of Longueuil will continue to tolerate homeless camps on its territory, Mayor Catherine Fournier indicated on Monday.
“Obviously it affects us, obviously I also see all the citizens of Longueuil who think it doesn’t make sense. I share this opinion. But at the same time, there are people for whom it is a choice to live in these camps or who are refused [dans les refuges] », Said the elected official at a press conference.
The municipality’s shelters are not necessarily sufficient to accommodate the fifteen people who are still living in tents at present, making dismantling counterproductive. Longueuil estimates there are between 200 and 1,000 homeless people.
PHOTO PATRICK SANFAÇON, LA PRESSE ARCHIVES
Catherine Fournier
“We consider that if we are not able to house people experiencing homelessness, we cannot dismantle the camps,” said M.me Fournier. We favor support. » The mayor, however, clarified that specific tents could be moved or dismantled in the event of “an attack on public security”.
In the opinion of Mme Fournier, Longueuil would need a court injunction to dismantle an encampment.
Moving from a shelter
The mayor of Longueuil presented the City’s action plan on Monday in the fight against homelessness.
First challenge to overcome: the move of the Halte du coin, a shelter with around 25 places installed in a church in Vieux-Longueuil where a transformation project is due to begin in May. The City is still looking for a destination location for this organization.
In the medium term, Longueuil also wants to set up a pilot project in its libraries related to homelessness, as well as ensure continued funding for its training program for police officers.
Furthermore, Mme Fournier also expressed the wish to welcome a supervised drug consumption facility on its territory, provided that it is mobile (in an adapted bus, for example).
“It’s all about balance. It is certain that our main concern in this area will be acceptance and social cohabitation,” said the mayor.