Homeless outreach targets Montreal's metro system
Pilot project at Place-des-Arts metro hopes to expand to 5 more stations
A pilot project that helps homeless people in Montreal's underground metro network is hoping to expand its outreach by the fall.
In December 2012, the Ville-Marie social development agency launched a new program aimed at helping the city’s homeless population.
The pilot project involved sending a social worker to Montreal’s Place-des-Arts metro station.
The intention was to increase outreach and provide medical and social support.
Damien Silès, the head of Ville-Marie’s social development society, says he wants to expand the project by the fall to five more stations including Bonaventure.
The Old Brewery Mission, a Montreal shelter, is also interested in doing more outreach work in the subway system.
"The issue is really resources … We know the population, we know many of the individuals, and our staff is very adept at working with them," said Matthew Pearce, head of the Old Brewery Mission.
"It's just a matter of having the human power."