ONSET OF COLD WEATHER : TAKING ACTION TO SUPPORT THE HOMELESS IN THE MONTRÉAL MÉTRO

With the onset of cold weather, Philippe Schnobb, Société de transport de Montréal (STM) board chair, and Stéphanie Gareau, Société de développement social (SDS) board chair, with Rosannie Filato, executive committee member responsible for homelessness, and several partners and community stakeholders in attendance, presented the measures being implemented as part of the Pôle de services en itinérance (PSI) initiative to support people who are experiencing homelessness.

The SDS and STM set up the first service point for the homeless in downtown Montréal in 2012, and its program was designed to meet the growing needs of the homeless who take refuge in the métro.

« Homelessness is a complex social phenomenon that challenges many key players in society and for which responsibility is shared. As a result, STM is working with various partners in the community to implement concrete measures such as the Old Brewery Mission shuttle service for the winter period, the presence of the Médecins du Monde mobile clinic at various locations downtown since 2013, and the ongoing social mediation with the SDS that began five years ago. This concerted approach aims to show greater tolerance in the métro network, while ensuring a quality transit experience for customers », added Philippe Schnobb, STM board chairman. 

« The PSI is a model of social inclusion that both works and inspires. We would like to see it deployed in all transit systems around the world. The Société de développement social, STM and all the partners involved in the program prove that by working together with a common goal, it is possible to find sustainable solutions to issues as major as homelessness and social exclusion. Let's hope that this type of initiative can encourage other sectors of activity that, in turn, would like to take tangible action to promote inclusion », explained Stéphanie Gareau, SDS board chair.

« All Montrealers should have access to support services adapted to their needs if and when they find themselves in a difficult situation. That is why service points for the homeless are so important. By taking a preventive approach and offering a shuttle service to the Old Brewery Mission, STM’s actions complement those of its community partners. The City of Montréal will continue to actively support such innovative initiatives », declared Rosannie Filato, executive committee member, responsible for homelessness.

Results achieved by the Pôle de services en itinérance (PSI) for 2012-2017

The number of interventions carried out each year in the métro increased from 430 in 2012 to about 3,500 interventions in 2017. Over the last five years, early 400 people benefited from the support and guidance of the mediation team composed of seven social workers.

Furthermore, several value-added services have been integrated in recent years:

Last January, the SDS and STM renewed the service points for the homeless (PSI) in five métro stations downtown for a period of three years, in a bid to continue to meet the growing needs of homeless people taking refuge in the métro. The PSI program is made possible thanks to financial contributions by the STM, the Fondation J.A Bombardier and the Fondation de la Corporation des Concessionnaires Automobile de Montréal. 

About the SDS

The Société de développement social (SDS) is the premier broker for social values in North America. It is a non-profit organization that acts as an intermediary between the private sector, the community sector and public organizations, with the aim of creating joint projects for social inclusion throughout Montreal.

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