The City of Montreal has identified the MIL Montreal area as the third site for its modular housing project. This site has been targeted to provide safe transitional housing for 30 vulnerable people with stable social situations who are waiting for permanent accommodation. This is a rapid, concrete and humane solution to the current housing crisis.
Work on the site could begin towards the end of this year, with the first occupants due to move in in 2026. These people will be housed in buildings designed by reusing the site office structures used by Hydro-Québec for the construction of the La Romaine hydroelectric power station in the far north of Quebec. These buildings will be refurbished to meet the needs of the people to be housed. As announced last January, these buildings will also be used to deploy supportive modular housing projects at 50-150, rue de Louvain Ouest, in the borough of Ahuntsic-Cartierville, as well as on a portion of the former Hippodrome site in the borough of Côte-des-Neiges-Notre-Dame-de-Grâce.
Accompanied by community organizations soon to be identified by Santé Québec, residents will benefit from the support of psychosocial workers who will facilitate the cordial sharing of public space. More specifically, the following services will be offered within the modular units:
- Food services ;
- Psychosocial and administrative support;
- Assistance in finding a permanent home.
The city reiterates that particular attention will be paid to the cleanliness of the sites where the modular housing units will be set up. Residents of the area will receive information on this project over the next few days, to ensure that these homes are set up harmoniously in the community.
It should be noted that the realization of the modular homes with accompaniment is made possible thanks to the financial participation of the Quebec government.
Quotes
“We are taking a new step in the deployment of our modular housing project. This new location will extend the assistance offered to people in need who are waiting for housing to get them off the street. It remains urgent to accelerate the creation of social housing, but in the meantime, modular units represent an immediate solution to a crying need.”
Valérie Plante, Mayor of Montreal
“The MIL Montréal sector is a choice site, as the city has few locations with all the logistical dimensions required to host this type of facility. This location will enable us to create safe living spaces that respect human dignity. Through this initiative, a number of activities will be offered to residents to mobilize them in their housing reintegration process.”
Robert Beaudry, responsible for homelessness on the executive committee of the City of Montreal
“The modular housing with support project, deployed in Montreal and other cities in Quebec, embodies an innovative and humane approach to meeting current needs. It is a concrete addition to our efforts to offer varied and sustainable solutions for those who need them most. Thanks to the agility of this formula, we can respond quickly to urgent situations while preparing for long-term integration into permanent housing. The government is proud to support this promising project.
France-Élaine Duranceau, Minister responsible for Housing
“The Université de Montréal has shown an interest in participating in the development of this project, both at MIL Montréal and in Namur. The partnership has yet to be defined, and we'll soon be agreeing on our possible contribution. One thing is certain: this type of initiative is in line with the vision of the citizen's university that we have been developing over the last few years. For us, it's a way of serving the common good by mobilizing our research teams and our student community in the field, in joint initiatives that have a positive impact on the quality of life of Montrealers.”
Valérie Amiraux, Vice-Rector, Community, International and First Peoples.
SOURCE City of Montreal - Office of the Mayor and Executive Committee
