Homelessness in Montréal: A Comprehensive Guide to Local Resources

As someone who has lived in Montréal for many years, I want to share the most current verified information about homelessness resources in our city. This guide contains factual information about real organizations and services available, with notes on how to verify their current status.

The State of Homeless People in Montréal

Current Numbers

According to the 2022 point-in-time count conducted by the City of Montréal and community partners, there were approximately 4,690 people experiencing visible homelessness in Montréal, a significant increase from the 3,149 counted in 2018. Experts attribute this rise partly to the ongoing housing crisis and a lack of affordable housing options.

Recent Trends

Homelessness has increased markedly in the past few years, with factors including:

• Housing affordability crisis with vacancy rates below 3%
• Increasing visibility of encampments in areas like Milton Park, Hochelaga-Maisonneuve, and around Cabot Square
• Rising numbers of newly homeless individuals, including families and seniors

Verified Resources for Immediate Help

Emergency Shelters

Men’s Shelters:

• Old Brewery Mission: 915 Clark Street, 514-798-2244, https://www.missionoldbrewery.ca/en/
  Verification note: Confirm current capacity by calling ahead, as it can change based on demand.
• Welcome Hall Mission: 606 De Courcelle Street, 514-523-5288, https://welcomehallmission.com/
  Verification note: Check their website for current services and intake information.
• Maison du Père: 550 René-Lévesque Boulevard East, 514-845-0168, https://www.maisondupere.org/en/
  Verification note: Services remain active; call for intake requirements.

Women’s Shelters:

• Chez Doris: 1430 Chomedey Street, 514-937-2341, https://www.chezdoris.org/en/
  Verification note: Has expanded services to include overnight shelter; verify current programs.
• Le Chaînon: 4104 Saint-Denis Street, 514-845-0151, https://lechainon.org/en/
  Verification note: Continues to operate; call for current availability.
• Patricia Mackenzie Pavilion (part of Old Brewery Mission): 1301 Boulevard De Maisonneuve East, 514-526-6446, https://www.missionoldbrewery.ca/en/women-s-services
  Verification note: Confirm current services before visiting.

Youth Resources:

• Dans la Rue: 1664 Ontario Street East, 514-526-1030 (day center and outreach), https://danslarue.org/en/
• Dans la Rue (Le Bunker overnight shelter): 514-524-0029, https://danslarue.org/en/services/the-bunker/
  Verification note: Services continue; check for age requirements and intake times.
• En Marge 12-17: 514-849-7117 (for youth 12-17), https://www.enmarge1217.ca/ (French only)
  Verification note: Specifically serves minors; call for intake protocol.

Indigenous-Focused:

• Projets Autochtones du Québec (PAQ): 169 de la Gauchetière East, 514-879-3310, https://www.paqc.org/en/
  Verification note: Services continue; call for current programs.
• Resilience Montreal: Near Cabot Square, 514-600-7017, https://resiliencemontreal.com/
  Verification note: Expanded services since opening; verify current hours.
• Native Women’s Shelter of Montreal: 514-933-4688, http://www.nwsm.info/
  Verification note: Continues to provide specialized services for Indigenous women.

Food Resources

Food Banks:

• Moisson Montréal: Not a direct service provider but supplies local food banks, 514-344-4494, https://www.moissonmontreal.org/en/
  Verification note: Can direct you to neighborhood food banks.
• Sun Youth: 6700 Park Avenue, 514-842-6822, https://sunyouth.org/
  Verification note: Continues to provide emergency food assistance; check for documentation requirements.
• Welcome Hall Mission Food Bank: 606 De Courcelle Street, 514-523-5288
  Verification note: Continues to operate; check for distribution days.
• MultiCaf: 3600 Avenue Barclay, 514-733-0554, https://multicaf.org/ (French only)
  Verification note: Verify current programs before visiting.

Free Meals:

• Accueil Bonneau: 427 de la Commune Street East, 514-845-3906, https://www.accueilbonneau.com/en/
  Verification note: Provides meal service; check current hours.
• People’s Potato: Concordia University, 1455 De Maisonneuve Boulevard West, https://peoplespotato.com/
  Verification note: Check current academic schedule as service typically follows university calendar.
• Midnight Kitchen: McGill University area, 514-939-2626, https://midnightkitchen.org/
  Verification note: Student-led; operations may vary with academic terms.
• Meals on Wheels (Santropol Roulant): 111 Roy Street East, 514-284-9335, https://santropolroulant.org/en/
  Verification note: Continues to operate; typically requires registration.
• The Open Door: 3535 Avenue du Parc, 514-939-1970, https://www.opendoortoday.org/
  Verification note: Relocated from Cabot Square area; verify current location and hours.

Health Services

Clinics That Serve Homeless Individuals:

• CLSC des Faubourgs: 1705 de la Visitation Street, 514-527-2361, https://www.ciusss-centresudmtl.gouv.qc.ca/etablissement/clsc-des-faubourgs-visitation (French only)
  Verification note: Services continue; may require health card for some services.
• Old Brewery Mission Health Services: On-site nurse and visiting doctors at 915 Clark Street
  Verification note: Check current availability and schedule.
• Médecins du Monde Mobile Clinic: Visits different shelters and street locations, https://www.medecinsdumonde.ca/en/
  Verification note: Contact 514-281-8998 for current schedule and locations.
• SPOT Clinic at CLSC Metro: 1801 De Maisonneuve Boulevard West, https://ciusss-centresudmtl.gouv.qc.ca/ (French only)
  Verification note: Specialized clinic for homeless individuals; no health card required.

Mental Health Crisis:

• Montreal Crisis Centers: 514-933-6331 (English), 514-281-2111 (French),
  Verification note: 24/7 service continues; immediate phone response available.
• Suicide Action Montreal: 1-866-277-3553, https://cpsmontreal.ca/en/
  Verification note: 24/7 crisis line remains active.
• Tracom Crisis Center: 514-483-3033, https://www.tracom.ca/home
  Verification note: Provides mobile intervention and short-term housing.

Substance Use Services:

• Cactus Montreal: 1300 Sanguinet Street, 514-847-0067, https://cactusmontreal.org/en/
  Verification note: Harm reduction services continue; check current hours.
• Dopamine: 4205 Ontario Street East, 514-251-8872, https://www.dopamine.ca/ (French only)
  Verification note: Services continue; call for program details.
• Portage: 514-939-0202, https://portage.ca/en/
  Verification note: Residential rehabilitation programs; requires referral process.

Finding Longer-Term Solutions

Housing Support

Housing Referral Services:

• CAP-St-Barnabé: 1475 Bennett Avenue, 514-251-2081, https://www.capstbarnabe.org/ (French only)
  Verification note: Continues to provide housing support; call for current programs.
• Housing Referral Service (Service de Référence en Hébergement): 514-527-1188, https://www.rohsco.com/ (French only)
  Verification note: Central service for housing referrals; availability changes daily.
• Projet Logement Montréal: 514-787-1110, https://projetlogementmontreal.org/ (French only)
  Verification note: Housing First program; requires referral from partner organizations.

Transitional Housing Programs:

• Old Brewery Mission Transition Programs: 915 Clark Street, 514-798-2244
  Verification note: Programs continue; assessment required for eligibility.
• Maison du Père Réinsertion Program: 550 René-Lévesque Boulevard East, 514-845-0168, https://www.maisondupere.org/
  Verification note: Programs continue; intake process required.
• Logifem: For women, 514-939-3172, https://logifem.org/en/
  Verification note: Continues to provide transitional housing for women; call for availability.
• Auberge Communautaire Sud-Ouest: 514-768-4774, https://laubergecommunautaire.org/ (French only)
  Verification note: Serves young adults 18-29; verify current availability.

Affordable Housing Information:

• Office Municipal d’Habitation de Montréal (OMHM): 514-868-5588, https://www.omhm.qc.ca/en/
  Verification note: Manages social housing; waiting lists typically 2-7 years.
• Fédération des OSBL d’Habitation de Montréal (FOHM): 514-527-6668, https://fohm.org/ (French only)
  Verification note: Network of non-profit housing organizations; can provide referrals.
• FRAPRU (housing rights organization): 514-522-4343, https://www.frapru.qc.ca/ (French only)
  Verification note: Advocacy group that can provide information on housing rights.

Income and Employment

Financial Assistance:

• Social Assistance (Welfare): Apply at Local Employment Center or online through Services Québec, https://www.quebec.ca/en/family-and-support-for-individuals/social-assistance-social-solidarity
  Verification note: Basic monthly amount for single person currently around $770; verify current rates.
• Service Quebec Office: 5656 rue d’Iberville, 514-873-4000, https://www.quebec.ca/en/government/services-quebec
  Verification note: Multiple locations across the city; check for the closest office.

ID Replacement:

• Clinique Droits Devant: 105 Ontario Street East, 514-603-0265, https://www.cliniquedroitsdevant.org/ (French only)
  Verification note: Helps with lost ID and legal issues; appointment recommended.
• Service Quebec offices for health card, birth certificate
  Verification note: Fees may be waived for homeless individuals; bring supporting letter from shelter.

Employment Support:

• Emploi-Québec: Various locations across the city
  Verification note: Services continue; check for closest center.
• YMCA Employment Services: 514-849-8393, https://www.ymca.ca/what-we-offer/employment-services
  Verification note: Programs continue; appointment recommended.
• Spectrum Productions: 514-234-7472, https://www.productionsspectrum.com/en/
  Verification note: Specialized employment support for individuals with autism.
• Destination Travail: 514-598-7474, https://www.emploiquebec.gouv.qc.ca/ (French only)
  Verification note: Employment counseling and support; call for appointment.

Seasonal Considerations

Winter Survival

• Winter Clothing: Available through organizations like Sun Youth, Welcome Hall Mission, and Dans la Rue
  Verification note: Distribution typically begins in October; call organizations directly.
• Warming Centers: During extreme cold periods (-15°C or colder)
  Verification note: Call 211 for current locations, or check the City of Montreal website.
• Winter Protocol: Expanded emergency shelter beds during winter months
  Verification note: Activated based on temperature; call 211 for information.

Related: Montreal School Closures: A Local’s Guide to Navigating Bad Weather Days

Summer Heat Resources

• Cooling Centers: Libraries, community centers, and some shelters
  Verification note: Activated during heat waves; call 211 for current locations.
• Water Access: Public fountains in parks and some shelters provide bottled water
  Verification note: Seasonal availability; check city website for fountain locations.

Related: Montreal Weather

Important Contact Information

• Emergency: 911
• Info-Social: 811 (option 2)
  Verification note: 24/7 social service consultation line.
• Information and Referral Line: 211 (multilingual service connecting to social services), https://www.211qc.ca/en/
  Verification note: Most up-to-date source for current service information.
• City of Montreal: 311, https://montreal.ca/en
  Verification note: Can provide information on municipal services and emergency measures.
• Transport adapted: 514-280-8211, https://www.stm.info/en/para
  Verification note: Special transportation for those with mobility issues; requires registration.

Legal Rights and Support

• Legal Aid Office: 800 De Maisonneuve Boulevard East, 514-842-2233, https://www.csj.qc.ca/commission-des-services-juridiques/lang/en
  Verification note: Services continue; may require appointment.
• Clinique Droits Devant: 105 Ontario Street East, 514-603-0265
  Verification note: Specializes in issues affecting homeless individuals.
• Mobile Legal Clinic: Contact local shelters for dates/locations, https://boussolejuridique.ca/en/resource/mobile-legal-clinic/
  Verification note: Mobile services that visit different shelters on a rotating schedule.
• Clinique juridique itinérante: 514-222-7701, https://www.cji-mlc.org/
  Verification note: Mobile legal services; check current schedule.

Technology Access

• Public Libraries: Free computer and internet access
  Verification note: Grande Bibliothèque and neighborhood branches; may require library card.
• Day Centers: Many day centers now offer computer access
  Verification note: Check individual centers for availability.
• Free WiFi: Available at metro stations and many public spaces
  Verification note: No password required for STM metro station WiFi.

Related: Montreal Internet Providers & Plans Comparison

Online Resources

• Montreal Homelessness Action Plan: https://montreal.ca/en/topics/homelessness
• 211 Greater Montreal Resource Directory: https://www.211qc.ca/en/search?cat-id=8
• RAPSIM (Réseau d’aide aux personnes seules et itinérantes de Montréal): https://www.rapsim.org (French only)
• Quebec Housing Info: https://www.quebec.ca/en/housing-territory

Final Thoughts

If you’re experiencing homelessness or at risk, please reach out to these verified resources. For immediate help at any time, call 211 for information and referrals to social services in Montréal. This multilingual service is the most reliable source for up-to-date information about service availability, locations, and hours.

Important Reminder About Verification

The information in this guide is current as of early 2025, but services for homeless individuals can change frequently based on funding, seasons, and organizational changes. Always:

1. Call ahead when possible to confirm current hours and availability
2. Use the 211 service for the most current information
3. Be prepared for changing intake requirements
4. Ask service providers about other resources they recommend

Remember that while the homeless services system in Montréal is extensive, it can also be complex to navigate. Don’t hesitate to ask for help from outreach workers or case managers who are familiar with the system.