Montreal Chinatown groups oppose proposed social housing project

The two buildings next to the Chinese Association of Montreal are being considered as a site for social housing. (Pedro Querido/CTV News)

A collection of organizations in Montreal’s historic Chinatown neighbourhood says a proposed social housing project needs to be reconsidered.

Center for Research-Action on Race Relations (CRARR) Executive Director Fo Niemi says the groups are not against the homeless population, but they don’t want two buildings on Côte Street near the Palais des Congrès to house more homeless people in a neighbourhood already oversaturated with an itinerant population.

“If this project were to go ahead, people would find that on every second street in Chinatown, there will be a resource for the homeless,” said Niemi.

One building being targeted is the historic Wings Noodles factory.

The lease on the building runs out at the end of November.

The Old Brewery Mission said it is constantly exploring opportunities to rehouse people living at risk of homelessness, including with the Chinatown project.

“No sale has been completed with respect to the building to date,” the Mission said in an email. “As with any new residential housing project, the Old Brewery Mission will engage with all stakeholders in the neighbourhood should it become the owner of the building in order to ensure the successful development and integration of the project.”

The groups opposed to the project have suggested creating a cultural museum or a “social vocation organization for residents of Chinatown.

“Or, at least, a social housing project for Chinatown residents or future residents,” said Niemi. “There are many seniors living in this area, or many people of low-income, living in this area who would welcome a social housing project for their well-being.”

On Thursday, they asked the city, province and organizations that work with the homeless to look to other boroughs to establish a social housing project, as their area is already struggling with insecurity and cleanliness.

“Right now, downtown and Chinatown are overwhelmed with the situation of the homeless,” said Niemi.

Montreal Chinatown Development Council director Bill Wong lives in the historic neighbourhood.

He says the council is connected to around 40 Chinatown businesses, none of which support the Mission’s social housing project.

“We believe Chinatown needs more business investment and economic vitality, not social housing for the homeless,” said Wong, adding that a social housing project in the neighbourhood “makes no sense.”

“We believe that security and prosperity go hand in hand and believe that a social housing project for the homeless in the heart of Chinatown will seriously compromise both, not to mention our cultural heritage,” he added.

Wong is calling on the Quebec government and the City of Montreal to say “no” to the project and is asking people to vote against any municipal candidate who supports the project.

Bryant Chang, vice-president of the Chinese Association of Montreal, says he questions what a social housing project would mean for a neighbourhood designated as an official heritage site.

“It goes against the very principle of what was granted to us,” said Chang, whose association is next door to the proposed site. “Having a social housing project for the unhoused right next to it will cause the Chinese association to lose its distinct cultural space and its members and service users, most of whom are seniors, will feel more unsafe.”

Chang cites unhoused people, drug users and people with mental health problems as reasons why residents feel unsafe.

“This social housing project is not, cannot and should not be a part of Chinatown and the Côte Street landscape,” said Chang. “Chinatown must not become known as ‘homeless town.’”