New social housing for those struggling with mental health in Montreal

A new 37-unit building for low-income residents struggling with mental health has opened in Montreal.

The Government of Canada, Quebec, the City of Montreal and Maison Saint-Dominique contributed a total of $18 million to Maison Shelley 0.

It is located in the Villeret-Saint-Michel-Parc-Council district.

“Our contribution to this project has made it possible to create 37 new homes that will make a difference to the people of Saint-Michel,” Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said in a press release.

This project provides housing stability, which is a key element of risk reduction for people in need of assistance, and offers better conditions to help them overcome or treat physical or mental health problems, which are often the basis of social coexistence problems.

Residents living in Maison Shelley also receive a rent allowance from the Quebec government that allows them to pay 25 percent of their income for housing.

This represents an investment of more than $636,000, 90 percent of which will be paid by the Société d'habitation du Quebec (SHQ) AccesLogis Québec program and 10 percent by the City of Montreal.

“These people have access to a variety of services tailored to their reality, including permanent social housing, as well as psychosocial and long-term support,” said Quebec's minister responsible for social services, Lionel Carmant.

The construction of this project started in April 2022.

“This project is the culmination of two years of work which has led to the construction of 37 social housing units offering care tailored to the needs of people with mental health problems, while maintaining their ability to pay. Maison Shelley is a real solution to complex problems,” said Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante.