Homeless encampment returns to Notre-Dame Street as Montreal shelters reach capacity

Barely a month since sections of a homeless encampment on Montreal's Notre-Dame Street East in the Mercier–Hochelaga-Maisonneuve borough were dismantled, tents are once again cropping up.

Meanwhile, shelters across the city are full. Community organizations are calling on authorities to show tolerance and pushing for sustainable solutions.

"Of course, dismantling, when no more permanent solutions are offered, is a futile effort," said Marie-Pier Therrien, spokesperson for the Old Brewery Mission.

In early December, 10 people were evicted from the stretch of vacant land along Notre-Dame Street East that is owned by the Ministry of Transport.

Two weeks ago, a 55-year-old man was found lifeless just a few streets away, on the covered terrace of a restaurant where people were spending the night. Some people who live nearby are worried about safety.

"We're always afraid of hearing that someone froze to death next to our home," said nearby resident Anne Grégoire.

The coroner has opened an investigation into the circumstances of the man's death. Montreal police suspect he died of hypothermia.

On Saturday, CAP St-Barnabé, an organization operating three emergency shelters in the neighbourhood, had to turn away about 30 people seeking a warm, dry place for the night. All 350 available beds were already occupied.

"As long as there isn't an emergency shelter or housing option for every person, we understand why people turn to encampments," said assistant executive director Marjolaine Despars.

Her organization also manages a warming station with 30 seats, frequented by the encampment's residents.

"For us, it's the magnitude of the problem that's alarming. It confirms that the current system can't meet the needs of all the homeless population," said Therrien.

This winter, the Old Brewery Mission added 10 more spots at its warming centre on Saint-Laurent Boulevard, which now has a capacity of 65 people.

"We have to turn away about 50 people per night," said Therrien, emphasizing that the 470 places across its four emergency centres are already full year-round.

The three new warming centres recently opened downtown have somewhat eased the pressure, but the situation remains dire, Therrien said.

The story is the same at Maison du Père, which provides shelter for homeless men in the Ville-Marie borough. On Sunday, 25 men were turned away due to lack of space.

Beyond overcrowded shelters, the return of tents can also be attributed to some homeless individuals' categorical refusal to seek help from organizations.

"Most dismantled encampments start up again," said Nathalie Ross, director of the Fondation de l'Accueil Bonneau. "If it's not in the same spot, it'll be somewhere else. There are people who don't want to go to shelters. We can't force them."

Advocates say dismantling the encampments forces those living in them to find more secluded places to set up camp, making it harder for organizations to keep track of them.

"Some cities work with fire departments to ensure safety in how people heat their spaces," said Despars. "Why not also open Metro station entrances at night?"

For now, the city does not plan to intervene with the campers on Notre-Dame Street.

"No dismantling is scheduled unless a dangerous situation requires immediate intervention by emergency services," the city said in a statement.

Quebec's Transport Ministry declined a request for comment.

"Opening seasonal spaces and offering chairs in warming centres won't solve homelessness. It's a problem that will come back next year, and we'll be having the same conversation again," said Therrien. "We need to think differently."