In order to support people experiencing homelessness, organizations, businesses and the public who are dealing with this harsh reality, the leader of Projet Montréal, Valérie Plante, is asking the Quebec government to join her team in developing a comprehensive 5-year plan dedicated to the situation of homelessness in Montréal. Projet Montréal is committed to spending $24 million over 4 years.
Homelessness requires more than piecemeal emergency assistance. Projet Montréal will continue to make homelessness a priority and invites the Quebec government to do the same as its economic update approaches.
Concrete commitments to addressing homelessness
Over the next four years, Projet Montréal will double the City of Montréal's investment in homelessness from $3 million to $6 million per year. This historic allocation of $24 million will provide community organizations with greater financial predictability.
Projet Montréal is also committed to developing 300 housing units per year for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness with community support. At the end of its next mandate, 1200 units will allow as many people to have a roof over their heads.
During the period from 2017 to 2021, Valérie Plante's team had set a target of 950 units to be developed. Projet Montréal exceeded this target by 14% by supporting the development of 1,089 units for people experiencing homelessness.
Since homelessness necessitates services that only the Quebec government and the health care system can provide, Projet Montréal is asking the Quebec government to increase financial support for the creation of housing with community support, psychosocial support and mental health care.
Projet Montréal reiterates its support for the opening of a culturally appropriate shelter open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for indigenous people. Such shelters have proven to be effective in providing stability and creating stronger ties with people experiencing homelessness in order to help them find lasting solutions.
Quotes
"As the Quebec government approaches its economic update, I am asking it to make homelessness one of its priorities. I want us to work together with the community to develop a 5-year plan and vision for homelessness in the city. We must give predictability to community organizations, social workers and people experiencing homelessness. We need to get away from the piecemeal approach and stop moving vulnerable people from one resource to another. We must offer them stability if we want to help them get out of homelessness. The Projet Montréal team will continue to be at the forefront and work to leave no one behind. - Valérie Plante, leader of Projet Montréal
"Far too many people live in a situation of great human distress, with very difficult living conditions. This is an extremely worrying situation for them, and one that has significant impacts on the business owners and residents who live with this harsh reality. Our team has worked hard during its first mandate to find solutions, but we cannot do everything alone. We need a rapid and concerted intervention of all levels of government, the health network and community organizations to adequately meet the needs of vulnerable people in the city, and Projet Montréal will be there. - Nathalie Goulet, candidate for city councillor in the Ahuntsic district.
