Old Brewery Mission opens new mixed rehousing facility in Lachine

Construction of the 18-unit building began in November 2023. It will be ready to welcome people experiencing or at risk of homelessness in July. Each unit contains a full kitchen and private bathroom, and residents will have access to a common room, garden and two shared laundry rooms.

Tenaquip Place comprises thirteen studio apartments and five 3½ room apartments that can accommodate couples, a first for the Old Brewery Mission’s housing stock. It was developed as part of the Old Brewery Mission’s effort to establish itself as a major provider of community and social housing in Montreal at a time when the population experiencing homelessness is becoming increasingly diverse.

Residents will have a lease and will be able to live at Tenaquip Place on a permanent basis. A supportive housing team will help them through the process of achieving residential stability with individualized follow-up and organized activities.

This innovative project was made possible by an exceptional $4.5 million donation from the Tenaquip Foundation, a uniquely generous contribution to an Old Brewery Mission housing project. For nearly 20 years, the Tenaquip Foundation has been presenting the Ken Reed Golf Tournament, an annual fundraiser that is essential to the Old Brewery Mission’s financing. Over the years, the Foundation has established itself as a key partner and major donor to the organization.

Construction of the building was also made possible by financial support from the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), the Société d’habitation du Québec (SHQ), the City of Montreal and the Fonds de solidarité FTQ.

Strategic presence in Lachine

“As homelessness spreads beyond the major urban centres, we need to adapt our response to the emerging realities in local communities,” says James Hughes, President and CEO of the Old Brewery Mission. “We are therefore announcing the opening of this first facility in Lachine, a neighbourhood outside the city centre that is facing increasing pressure for affordable housing and support services for people in precarious situations. With this presence in Lachine, we are responding proactively to this development and providing accessible, adapted resources where they are now needed.” A number of places have been reserved for people already living in Lachine.

Major philanthropic collaboration

“We are proud to partner with the Old Brewery Mission to develop this new facility, our largest philanthropic project to date,” says Michael Fitzgerald, Executive Director of the Tenaquip Foundation. “We want to help break the cycle of homelessness through long-term solutions, such as building stable housing for people in vulnerable situations. This project is a perfect fit with the Tenaquip Foundation’s mission, particularly in the midst of an unprecedented housing crisis.”

An ambitious vision for community housing

The new building is part of the strategic development of the Old Brewery Mission’s housing stock. The organization is investing more than ever in sustainable affordable housing solutions and currently offers more than 500 housing opportunities —as owner, manager and support agency—across eight boroughs of the city of Montreal. In 2023-24, 462 people used the Old Brewery Mission’s supportive housing services and 192 of them moved into housing.

About The Tenaquip Foundation

The Tenaquip Foundation was founded in November of 2006 by Ken Reed, the founder of Tenaquip Limited. Since its operations began in 2006-2007, the Tenaquip Foundation has donated close to $50 million dollars to Canadians in need and has also been involved with several international projects. The foundation gives to approximately 200 charitable organization each year; supporting humanitarian causes ranging from food banks and homeless shelters to mental health organizations and children’s help groups across Canada. The foundation has also been involved with large medical research programs through organizations such as the MNI, as well as a few international projects such as “The Tenaquip School” in Madagascar.