Dismantling encampments could hurt people: Montreal report on housing difficulties

City urged to rethink encampments dismantlement

The City of Montreal unveiled on Monday the results of a report by its ad hoc committee on the issues and needs of people unable to obtain housing.

In the 63-page report obtained by Noovo Info, the committee points out that dismantling homeless encampments could have dire consequences on people’s health, including “the rupture of social ties and loss of support and resources. [It creates] displacements that force people to move to places that are remote, isolated, dangerous and less accessible.”

It also advises the need for a clear protocol when carrying out dismantlement operations when and if necessary.

“Thanks to this dialogue between experts from diverse backgrounds, we can better envision the creative solutions needed to overcome the social challenge of homelessness,” said Robert Beaudry, the executive committee member responsible for homelessness. “Our administration is committed to continuing to bring the voices of community organizations and Montrealers, both housed and unhoused, to the table to ensure the necessary assistance.”

The committee is made up of experts from the health and social services networks, as well as members of research and business groups and community organizations working in homelessness.

The goal is to identify possible solutions, “and a shared vision” to meet the needs of the city’s most vulnerable population.

“This committee has made it possible to bring together, on our territory, influential players in the field of homelessness in order to reflect on the best practices applicable to our Montreal reality,” said James Hughes, president and CEO of the Old Brewery Mission.

He called the status quo “unacceptable,” and says he wants to see “swift and determined action.”

“Now that the City of Montreal and decision-makers in the health care network have some concrete solutions, it is imperative to take action, without delay, to offer services and trajectories for people living in public spaces, and to modernize existing measures,” said Hughes.

Stacy Boucher-Anthony, executive director of Projets Autochtones du Québec (PAQ), adds part of the issue is tackling systemic issues, particularly when it comes to First Nations peoples, such as a lack of affordable housing, limited access to services, including education, and inequalities in access to health care.

“There is an urgent need to develop culturally adapted services that respect Indigenous values and lifestyles. No one chooses to be homeless,” said Boucher-Anthony. “These problems lead to an over-representation of homelessness on the island.”

The 15 recommendations in the report include:

1. Conduct a regional review of emergency shelter services;
2. Diversify and increase the number of places in emergency and transitional housing for Indigenous individuals, seniors, couples, people from the LGBTQIA2S+ community and those with pets;
3. Enhance emergency services;
4. Year-round drop-in centres (not just in winter);
5. Increase rapid entry housing programs;
6. Develop supportive modular housing projects;
7. Preserve existing affordable housing;
8. Enhance community support teams in social housing;
9. Set up a shared housing program;
10. Intensify coordinated intervention in public spaces;
11. Set up a multidisciplinary program and team to help people in public spaces;
12. Enhance services for people in public spaces;
13. Raise public awareness of the unhoused, draw up findings and propose solutions;
14. Draft and publicize a municipal homelessness protocol;
15. Set up a central intersectoral body to coordinate assistance.

The City notes that the report will be submitted to the Montreal office of public consultations (OCPM) and hearings are slated to begin on Feb. 17.

“However, Montreal alone cannot help unhoused people and needs the help of higher levels of government,” officials note. “This report is therefore intended as an initial tool to support the city in its own interventions and in its exchanges with governments.”

The ad hoc community was launched in the spring of 2024 as a way of bringing together experts and community players to increase support and safety for people experiencing homelessness.