MONTREAL — Social workers on the front lines of homelessness in Montreal say they feel increasingly powerless as more people find themselves forced to live in tents during the winter.
Stéphanie Lareau has worked with homeless people in Montreal for the past 20 years. Normally, the tents begin to disappear by December, but this year is different, she said.
The situation has already proved deadly. On Dec. 15, a 55-year-old homeless man was found dead in a Montreal park. Authorities believe he may have died of hypothermia. Quebec Social Services Minister Lionel Carmant said organizations supporting homeless people were behind the apparent reduction. He also credited a government program that provides mental health services while helping people find housing.“In today's market, it's getting back into the market once you've been rejected that's very difficult,” she said, explaining that many are homeless for the first time.
Carmant pointed out that the government has increased funding for tackling homelessness, from a five-year budget of $280 million to $410 million. Laurie Mercure, head of the concurrent disorders, addictions and homelessness department at the east-end Montreal health authority, welcomes the promising programs. However, she said too many people are falling through the cracks -- especially seniors who need apartments adapted for their needs, couples and those with pets, all of whom face additional barriers to getting housed.
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