Montreal to build 60 modular housing units for people experiencing homelessness

The City of Montreal is piloting a new initiative to help tackle the worsening homelessness crisis and give vulnerable people a pathway to permanent housing. 

By March 2025, the city plans to build 60 modular housing units to provide temporary accommodation for unhoused Montrealers waiting for social housing. 

"This pilot project will not replace the urgent need to accelerate the construction of social housing, but it will alleviate the effects of the ongoing crisis while we wait for the units to be built," Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante said in a news release Wednesday morning.

The modular homes will feature single rooms, rooms for couples and rooms adapted for people with reduced mobility. Common areas and sanitary facilities are also planned for the two new developments, each with 30 units. 

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Quebec plans to relocate some of the day services at Maison Benoît Labre in Montreal's Saint-Henri neighbourhood after cohabitation issues with nearby residents. But advocates who work with homeless people say communication and co-operation are key for a good relationship between vulnerable people who use these resources and neighbouring residents.

Robert Beaudry, the city's executive committee member responsible for housing, said modular housing is a quick but temporary solution, emphasizing the units are not homeless shelters. 

In an interview with Radio-Canada's Tout un matin, Beaudry said he expects that people who are ready to move into permanent social housing will live in the units for a couple of years as they wait for availability. 

"It's really, I'd say, the bridge between the shelter and [permanent] housing," he said. 

The city is also partnering with the Quebec government and community organizations to create adapted health and social services for residents to access directly on site.

Beaudry said the city has only just issued the call for tenders in search of land for the project, and that the developments will be in two different boroughs. 

The city, however, promised to hold discussions with residents to ensure that the project is integrated smoothly.

"Social acceptability is very important," he said. 

Last month, in response to the worsening homelessness situation and a rise in complaints from residents situated near resources for the homeless, the city announced it will be holding public consultations to get input on how to cohabitate peacefully. 

Sam Watts, the CEO of Welcome Hall Mission, said any announcement that promoted housing is a good thing. But he cautioned that it was just that: an announcement, and said he hoped to see details and possibly more such projects to respond to a need which is much greater than 60 homes.

"There are a lot of details that have yet to be figured out," he said. "Once we see the details we'll be able to have a better sense of whether or not this is something that can work really well or whether it's something that needs more thought."

Beaudry said the initial number of modular units is small, but, if the project is successful, they may try to build more.

"Maybe right now it's 60 but tomorrow, if it works, maybe we can develop much more to respond to a need. But we need to continue to develop social housing, that's the main response to the homeless situation," he said.

Beaudry said the city will choose the locations of the two sites in the coming months. He said the city will provide land for the project and the municipal social housing management entity would oversee it. The local health authority, or CIUSSS, funded by the province, would provide services to the people who live there.