Alison Haynes: She Doris can't keep up with the need for housing, even with new shelters

Chomedey St. Almost everything in the historic brownstone at headquarters Room Shedris has been converted into a dormitory since the beginning of the pandemic.

The caseworker's office, which used to be right next to the bustling reception and next to the cafeteria, is now packed with cribs and rains in late June. I caught a glimpse of a woman taking a nap in the afternoon. The door opened a little. The clinic has moved to a nearby rental property to secure free space. And the stack of folding beds is hidden in the corner of a large room on the second floor where clients usually socialize and craft.

Opened in 1977 as Montreal's most vulnerable women's day center, Shedrishas undergone a major transformation in the last two years. Since December 2020,has been operating 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, instead offrom 8:30 am to 3:00 pm. In addition to providing hot meals and social support, we have provided shelter for the explosive population of homeless women.

However, within a few months, many of the currently cramped Nagaya will return to their original purpose. One of three housing projects is under construction after a nonprofit group launched a record $ 15 million funding campaign when a 22-bed facility under construction is scheduled to open in close proximity.

Chez Doris Executive Director Marina Boulos-Winton, offering tours of the new site, goes through sawdust, stepping over workers' tools, sparkling new shower tiles, a modern kitchen, and fully accessible. An elevator that whisks clients with mobility problems upstairs so that they don't have to move through the curved wooden stairs in the main hall, which is the rear entrance.

"Some clients with disabilities need to climb the front stairs (in the main building) on ​​all fours," she says.

On the 3rd floor, Boulos-Winton shows off the wall of a Japanese-style bed. increase. Each has its own ventilation system to protect it from COVID-19, which enhances privacy compared to traditional bunk beds.

"As far as I know, we are the only ones who have these," she said. "We are really trying to innovate."

But no matter how quickly construction workers complete the new shelter, 26 studio apartments for women near Notre Dame Hospital. And another project, a room on St. Andre Street, which offers a third facility with 20 private rooms, 6 communal kitchens and 6 living rooms, Shedris is struggling to meet growing needs.

Since the beginning of the pandemic (is often referred to as her demicbecause of the imbalanced impact on women), charities have supported the number of non-contained clients. I have seen an increase. 50 percent. This has accelerated the transition to 24-hour service. But things get even worse day by day as Montreal faces an affordable housing crisis and rapid inflation pushes people to the limit.

"This winter, the proportion of homeless people is worse than in the previous year," said Boulos-Winton. "And even in our shelter, even if there is a bed in (22), I think it's too small."

She also said that July 1st is "apocalyptic." I expect it. At that time, Quebec has a lot of debt and those who couldn't find a new place to live can be onstreet

in preparation for the annual moving day in Quebec. The government has announced a 400 rent supplement, a flexible tool that helpsprevent and solve homelessness bypaying the rent for private homes. Of the 400 supplements, 130 were directed to organizations that help people who are already homeless. Chez Doris has applied for 30 of them, and Boulos-Winton said it has received over 210 applications.

"It gives you an idea of ​​demand," she said. "The hope is to move people to private housing as soon as possible. But rent is not affordable. That is, you are in a catch 22 situation. You really need more rent supplements — large quantities. Like. They just split 130 right now .... It's not really enough. "

Recently, many Montreal people are having a hard time buying a home, but Boulos-Winton She said women are particularly at risk. Over the last two years, the number of transgender women looking for shelters has skyrocketed. Also, adult children who are caregivers tend to be forced to evict when their older parents die because their names are not leased.

"There are many women who have been affected by domestic violence and have gone to shelters for abused women and could not find a place to live due to lack of income," Boulos-Winton said. Mr. says. .. "And if they don't return, they don't have a home and they need to put their children in the protection of young people."

Despite the additional trauma This separation gives survivors of domestic violence, including children — not to mention the additional costs to the already tense child welfare system — the nonprofit sector is increasingly being sought after to fill the gap. However, it does not provide the resources to provide long-term funding for these critical services.

"The government wants us to do all these projects, but it is not necessarily operated (funded). It is not guaranteed. The building will only operate for two years. No, "Boulos-Winton mentioned the shelter still under construction. "For two years they gave us some money, and then we don't know."

To meet the needs there, Chez Doris has increased construction costs You don't just have to invest in bricks and mortar while you're doing it. We also have to hire more staff in the midst of a labor shortage where nonprofits in the community have to compete with the public and private sectors for workers.

The day and night fundraising campaign raised $ 15 million. Of that, $ 10 million comes from private donors and $ 5 million is a government pledge. But it's a never-ending effort.

"Funding treadmills never stop," said Boulos-Winton.

ahanes@postmedia.com

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