Montreal opens new warming centres for unhoused during cold snap

Temporary Warming Shelter Opens in Montreal

The holidays were cold for Louis Leveille. Without a place to call home, he felt lucky to find space at the temporary warming shelter at the Hôtel-Dieu de Montréal. He didn’t mind sleeping on a chair. “It’s better than nothing,” he said.

The City of Montreal has partnered with community organizations to create additional warming centres for unhoused people. This aims to ease the pressure on homeless shelters as temperatures drop well below freezing. One of these new facilities is located in the Rosemont–La Petite‑Patrie borough.

Molière Thémistocle is a psycho-social worker and co-founder of Centre des femmes de convictions de Montréal. This organization helps women experiencing homelessness and manages a temporary shelter in the Sainte-Bibiane Catholic Church. “We’re not really popular yet. Many women don’t know we exist,” he said.

The Martinez Ferrada administration has added 530 temporary warming spaces across the city as winter takes hold. The warming centre has about 20 chairs available, but less than half were occupied over the holidays. Thémistocle expects more demand in the coming weeks as word spreads about the service.

Last month, the City of Montreal added 530 spaces in warming centres. These centres are popular, with an occupancy rate between 85 and 100 percent. Claude Pinard, chair of Montreal’s executive committee, said the high occupancy rate shows that the shelters “were useful and they were needed.”

Émilie Fortier, vice-president of services at Old Brewery Mission, noted that the warming shelters are reducing pressure on the mission. However, the lack of beds is concerning. “When it’s cold like this, people need a warm place to stay,” she said. Permanent solutions, like housing, are needed.

Earlier this season, Montreal sought help to find locations for warming centres. Pinard said there were many offers from citizens, developers, and community organizations. However, he added that it is important to ensure these organizations have the capacity to provide staff and support for the warming stations.

Pinard stated that these temporary measures are not ideal. The city is already looking ahead to next year to be better prepared for cold snaps. “We need housing,” he said, emphasizing that this remains the ultimate goal.

According to Montreal’s website, the heated spaces are open daily during the cold season, in the evening and all night, until March 31. Shuttles are available, and visitors can get snacks, hot drinks, and referrals to other resources.

Five locations are listed on the city’s website, which aims to co-habitate with the surrounding community. “Teams and partners are on site to provide psychosocial support, cleanliness, and ensure harmonious co-existence with the neighbourhood,” the website states. “Every possible measure has been put in place to limit noise and preserve a peaceful environment.”