New housing project in Villeray-Saint-Michel-Parc-Extension

James Hughes, President and CEO of the Old Brewery Mission, was on site at Projet Pie-IX, where 27 housing units will be built for seniors aged 50 and over who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. Indeed, in the homeless sector, people aged 50 and over are considered seniors. The street damages the body and mind more quickly, and homeless people experience premature aging, estimated at around 10 years.

The need for a dedicated rehousing project for this clientele is obvious:

• Not only are we seeing a significant increase in the number of seniors visiting our emergency shelter services, but in Montreal, an estimated 43.6% of people experiencing homelessness are aged 50 and over.
• Seniors are a population with many vulnerabilities, including social isolation, physical health problems and/or cognitive loss, and a precarious financial situation.
• We've all heard about the rising number of evictions, which greatly affects the aging population.
• With the current housing crisis, and rising rental prices, we need to offer sustainable solutions to support this population and get them off the streets.

By 2024, the homeless population will no longer be confined to downtown, but will be found all over Montreal, in dozens of boroughs, including this one. This housing project, the Old Brewery Mission's 10th across the metropolis, will enable us to offer our services in a new neighborhood, located close to all services.

Thanks to this fully adapted and accessible housing project for people with reduced mobility, vulnerable seniors will be able to age with dignity, in a home of their own.

The Old Brewery Mission would like to thank the partners who are supporting this project:

• Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation through the Rapid Housing Initiative
• Société d'habitation du Québec
• Service d'habitation de la Ville de Montréal