Montreal homeless shelters are calling on the Quebec government to reach an agreement with Ottawa to support people living in the city’s encampments.
The federal government has offered up to $50 million in aid to address the homelessness crisis, but states have been slow to accept the deal.
First reported funding delay radio canada fridayneeds to be resolved as soon as possible, said Sam Watts, CEO of Welcome Hall Mission.
“We’re obviously in a hurry to say, ‘Okay, let’s make this happen,'” Watts said in an interview.
He said the federal funding is “intended to help cities address some of the urgent issues we all see every day, and there is little reason to delay.” Ta.
Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante is also expected to address the delay later today after touring new housing at Montreal’s Chez Doris women’s shelter.
Millions of people are waiting
In September, the federal government said It provided $250 million to states to “find emergency shelter for people experiencing homelessness or living in encampments.”
However, that money comes with conditions.
Housing Minister Sean Fraser’s office told Radio-Canada that the province is waiting for Quebec to match the federal investment and provide a plan for how the money will be used.
“We look forward to allocating this funding to Quebec communities to help prevent and reduce out-of-shelter homelessness in Quebec,” spokeswoman Sophia Usoulis said in a statement.
Marie Barrett, a spokeswoman for Quebec Social Services Minister Lionel Calment, said negotiations were “progressing very well” and Quebec hoped to reach an agreement soon.
Barrett said the government expected to receive its “fair share.”
“There are ongoing discussions about Quebec’s fiscal participation given all the money the government invests in homelessness,” she said.
Other provinces, including Ontario and Saskatchewan, have also been slow to receive federal funding.
A few months ago, the Old Brewery Mission space was an open dormitory packed with bunk beds. The facility is now divided into smaller cubicles to provide more privacy and dignity for clients, but only six of the shelter’s 191 beds will be lost.
Marie Pier Therrien, communications director for Montreal’s Old Brewery Mission, said the funding will help the organization develop new ways to support people in camps across the city, something that has become increasingly common since the pandemic. Said to be helpful.
“This is an area where we need to do more, and we need to move faster,” Therian said in an interview.
“Most emergency services and shelters are full for 12 months of the year. Our biggest concern is that as winter approaches, the living conditions for those in the camps will become more dangerous and hazardous. is.”
