Old Brewery Mission opens mixed housing in Lachine

A new social housing project has opened in Montreal's Lachine borough. (Christine Long/CTV)

The Old Brewery Mission opened its first mixed housing facility in Montreal’s Lachine borough for people who need help getting back on their feet.

Of the 18 units, 13 are studio apartments for singles and there are five larger apartments for couples, all in a renovated corner building.

President and CEO James Hughes explains that separate quarters for men and women can reduce accessibility for people in need.

“These are duos that lean on each other, that won’t move into housing without each other,” says Hughes.

Each unit has a kitchen and bathroom, plus access to shared spaces like laundry rooms and a garden area.

Located in Lachine, this is the first time the Old Brewery Mission establishes social housing outside the greater downtown area.

Hughes says living on the streets isn’t only a downtown issue.

“We need three things to solve homelessness or reduce vulnerability. You need an apartment. You need a rent supplement to make sure that the unit is affordable. And the third aspect is services,” he explains.

Services include social support and back to work training.

Craig Kowal is looking forward to signing a lease and says having a stable place to live is the next step to making a fresh start.

Originally from Pointe St-Charles, Kowal has been working to turn things around.

“It’s been a few pretty rough years drug use and not having a permanent place to live, so I’ve kind of been couch surfing for a while. I completed a therapy in 2023, so I’ve been clean now for a couple of years. It feels great. But one of the challenges is having a stable place to live,” he says.

Lachine Mayor Maja Vodanovic says social housing is a good investment.

“It’s cheaper for the government, it’s cheaper for society to house everyone than to have people on the street,” she says.

This project was financed in part by funds from all three levels of government along with a generous $4.5 million donation from industrial supplies company Tenaquip. The housing project is called Tenaquip Place.

“This is a perfect example of all levels of government coming together to do something, and we just have to keep doing it. And I just hope that the government gives more money because I don’t think you can expect private foundations to give so much money every time,” says Vodanovic.

Michael Fitzgerald, Executive Director of the Tenaquip Foundation, is proud to be part of the initiative.

“Tenaquip Place and housing units like this are the beginning: a step in the right direction to ending homelessness,” he says.

Fitzgerald says this partnership with the Old Brewery Mission will help the most vulnerable - including those outside of the downtown core.

And for Kowal, it means a fresh start.

“I’m happy to be here. I’m excited for a new phase of my life. more stability, work and a better life,” he says.