Eviction is one of the leading causes of homelessness. So we asked ourselves: how can we identify people at risk of eviction and intervene before they end up on the street? The answer was to be present at the Tribunal administratif du logement (housing court).

Several organizations working to address homelessness, including La Maison du Père, Logifem and the Old Brewery
Mission, came together to launch PETAL, a program to prevent evictions at the Tribunal administratif du logement. Our combined presence at the Tribunal in Montreal allows us to quickly identify tenants at risk of eviction and intervene before they become homeless.

Case workers meet with tenants who have been summoned to a hearing, offer them support, and assess their eligibility for the program. PETAL targets people living with physical or psychosocial disorders, addictions, mental health issues or disabilities. The target is to carry out up to 60 assessments per week.

The Mirella and Lino Saputo Pavilion in the Saint-Michel neighbourhood provides permanent housing for 27 people aged 50 and older who were experiencing or at risk of homelessness.

It is fully adapted for people with reduced mobility and offers a safe and welcoming environment with community gardens, social activities and ongoing assistance from the supportive housing team. The goal is to promote long-term housing stability and well-being.

Opened in June 2025, Tenaquip Place in Lachine has 18 permanent housing units for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness—13 studio apartments and five 3 ½ room apartments designed to accommodate couples.

Each unit is equipped with a kitchen and bathroom. Common areas have also been included to help create spaces for community.

Residents receive personalized support from our supportive housing team.

Several new projects are scheduled to open by the end of 2026:

• Monk Pavilion (opening in June 2026): 18 studio apartments for a mixed population in the Sud-Ouest Borough
• Marcelle Coutu Residence (opening in summer 2026): 12 units for women in the Centre-Sud Borough
• Saint-Hubert rooming house (opening in fall 2026): 25 rooms and 20 studio apartments in the Plateau Mont-Royal

There are also many projects in progress that are scheduled for completion after the end of 2026: Marcelle and Jean Coutu Foundation Place (Sud-Ouest), the Côté project (Chinatown), the Saint-Antoine project (Ville-Marie), Maison Sicard (Hochelaga), Maison d’Iberville (Saint-Michel), the De Maisonneuve project (Ville-Marie), and the Mainbourg Corporation (Pointe-aux-Trembles). Together, the projects that are in the start-up phase or under construction will deliver more than 150 additional housing units.

Last year, the CAEH conference was held at the Palais des congrès in Montreal, just a few minutes’ walk from our Saint-Laurent campus. We took the opportunity to deliver several presentations on impactful topics. Colleagues from every Canadian province were in attendance to exchange ideas, discuss issues, learn from each other’s experiences and forge partnerships.

Presentations by the Old Brewery Mission:

• Rapidly growing homeless population
• In from the margins: Feminist leadership and inclusive housing
• Mobilizing the community to take action and defend the right to housing
• Supporting people with complex needs across the housing continuum
• What makes housing supportive?

In response to the rise in homelessness in Montreal, we launched a new recruitment campaign under the slogan “Daring to believe in each journey. No exceptions.”

The point is that believing in every journey means believing in every person’s potential, regardless of their history and experiences. It means rejecting one-size-fits-all solutions to support people in a different way—with boldness, humanity and long-term commitment. At the Old Brewery Mission, atypical journeys are welcomed with open arms and different experiences are our strength.

As a leading organization addressing homelessness in Montreal, we have a responsibility to share our vision
and raise public awareness about the issues related to our mission.

During the year, we published a good number of opinion pieces in major newspapers:

• Campement Notre-Dame : ne démantelons pas sans solution de rechange adéquate – La Presse
• Une feuille de route claire pour briser le cycle de l’itinérance – Le Devoir
• Itinérance au centre-ville : nous devons loger, soigner et innover – La Presse
• Budget du Québec et itinérance. Des brèches colmatées, mais un chantier qui reste entier – Le Devoir
• Les angles morts du projet de loi 20 sur l’habitation – Journal de Montréal

We use a variety of communication strategies to raise awareness among Montrealers about the reality of homelessness and highlight the solutions we propose. During the year, our ads again appeared in the metro, on billboards throughout the city, on social media, on television and on the radio.

During the run-up to July 1—moving day in Quebec—we launched a high-impact advertising campaign to underscore the important role that homelessness prevention plays in maintaining our social fabric. The campaign revolved around the alarming rise in evictions. It garnered over 13 million impressions online.

We were also visible at several strategic locations across the city, including a billboard above the encampment on Notre-Dame Street in southeast Montreal. It read “L’itinérance ne commence pas dans un campement. Aidez-nous à la prévenir” (Homelessness doesn’t start in an encampment. Help us prevent it.) and was seen by thousands of drivers on Notre-Dame Street for several months leading up to winter. The clear message and the strategic location were a powerful way to bring the point home. While the sight of the encampment may have prompted feelings of helplessness, the Old Brewery Mission’s billboard offered a glimmer of hope.

At the political level, we were active on several fronts. Before the 2026 Quebec provincial election, we met with the political parties and presented 20 concrete proposals for inclusion in their platforms. Our proposals targeted
an ambitious goal: to prevent and end homelessness in Quebec. We asked for firm commitments to large-scale development of off-market housing, homelessness prevention, tailored solutions for people with complex needs, and recurring funding commensurate with those needs.

At the same time, we shared our key recommendations regarding prevention, rehousing, and innovative approaches
to homelessness with the media.

We followed legislative efforts related to homelessness and housing attentively, and voiced our concerns and recommendations.

To support a humane and coordinated response, we actively contributed to the development of the City of Montreal’s encampment management protocol and to the City’s task force on the housing affordability crisis.

Finally, at the federal level, we participated in the consultation on the new Build Canada Homes agency and advocated for a massive expansion of off-market housing with support services, which is essential for preventing and reducing homelessness in the long term

The 22nd edition of the annual Ken Reed Golf Tournament was held at the prestigious Beaconsfield Golf Club on August 4, 2025. Once again, there was strong support for this signature event of the Old Brewery Mission, which quickly sold out. Partners, volunteers, and engaged community leaders came together for a shared goal: the implementation of concrete solutions for people experiencing homelessness.

Thanks to this exceptional engagement—and the loyal support of the Tenaquip Foundation, a partner of the Old Brewery Mission for nearly 20 years—a record $318,050 was raised.

On December 20, 2025, Groupe CH designated the Old Brewery Mission as the beneficiary of its 50/50 raffle, generating significant financial leverage to support our activities. With the backing of Groupe CH and the Mirella and Lino Saputo Foundation, which each matched the amount raised, nearly $200,000 was collected during the game between the Montreal Canadiens and the Pittsburgh Penguins.

On March 20, 2026, the Old Brewery Mission held the second edition of its charity ski day at Owl’s Head Ski Resort in the Eastern Townships. The private event, initiated by Michael Zakuta in collaboration with CIBC, brought together real estate leaders for a morning of skiing followed by a luncheon cocktail reception. The Old Brewery Mission’s projects and growing needs were highlighted.

Building on the momentum of the first edition, this follow-up was an even greater success. Thanks to the generosity of the participants and partners, a total of $102,114 was raised.