2023-12-06 00:37:04
With the cold weather, shelters for homeless people are overflowing in Montreal, as are the rest areas set up for them; and distress is omnipresent.
“It’s a challenge every night and we are not safe from other deaths while homeless this winter,” says the director of emergency services at the Old Brewery Mission, Émilie Fortier.
The Old Brewery Mission Cafe has become a dormitory for many. Evening after evening, the 65 places are taken and have been for six months. Responders must refuse people in need, even though the cold weather has not yet arrived.
“I had to refuse three people and we don’t know if we will be able to relocate them and it is December 3. So, actually, when we talk again at minus 40, I don’t know what the solutions will be,” says Ms. Fortier.
Emergency shelter resources are already at capacity. Montreal has 1,600 beds and Minister Lionel Carmant announced 188 new places last November.
“Old Brewery, we do shuttle service. We need to have more… oxygen in the system to ensure that everyone has a place,” says the president and CEO of the Old Brewery Mission.
With an average cost of $1,000 for a studio and $1,600 for a 4 and a half, the challenges are enormous even for those who have recently found themselves on the street.
“Currently, to find accommodation, it takes several days, even several weeks. However, we have the money to pay the rent, we have the money to support the person, but we do not have the accommodation,” proclaims Émilie Fortier.
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