The City of Montreal is piloting a new initiative to help tackle the worsening homelessness crisis and give vulnerable people a pathway to permanent housing.
By March 2025, the city plans to build 60 modular housing units to provide temporary accommodation for unhoused Montrealers waiting for social housing.
“This pilot project will not replace the urgent need to accelerate the construction of social housing, but it will alleviate the effects of the ongoing crisis while we wait for the units to be built,” Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante said in a news release Wednesday morning.
The modular homes will feature single rooms, rooms for couples and rooms adapted for people with reduced mobility. Common areas and sanitary facilities are also planned for the two new developments, each with 30 units.
Robert Beaudry, the city’s executive committee member responsible for housing, said modular housing is a quick but temporary solution, emphasizing the units are not homeless shelters.
In an interview with Radio-Canada’s Tout un matin, Beaudry said he expects that people who are ready to move into permanent social housing will live in the units for a couple of years as they wait for availability.
“It’s really, I’d say, the bridge between the shelter and [permanent] housing,” he said.
The city is also partnering with the Quebec government and community organizations to create adapted health and social services for residents to access directly on site.
Beaudry did not specify where these homes will be located, saying only that the developments will be situated in two different boroughs. The city, however, promised to hold discussions with residents to ensure that the project is integrated smoothly.
“Social acceptability is very important,” he said.
Last month, in response to the worsening homelessness situation and a rise in complaints from residents situated near resources for the homeless, the city announced it will be holding public consultations to get input on how to cohabitate peacefully.
Beaudry said the project is going to benefit from the consultation, and, if all goes well, he expects more units to be built.
The City of Montreal has launched a call for tenders to acquire the 60 housing units and will choose the locations of the two sites in the coming months.