Community Housing Project in Montreal

The John Howard Society of Quebec plans to build an 18-unit apartment building at the corner of Liébert and Notre-Dame streets in Montreal. The three-story building will include 16 one-bedroom units, 2 two-bedroom units, as well as offices and a community room.

The community space was intended for rental to fulfill a need in the neighbourhood.

These units are intended for people who have been incarcerated and who wish to continue their social reintegration in a stable, safe, and supportive environment.

No. These are medium and long-term housing options.

Unlike a transitional housing facility, where accommodation may be a condition of release, people who choose to live in this program do so voluntarily. They are considered independent enough to live in an apartment with the added benefit of receiving psychosocial support.

Both women and men will be carefully selected. They must be willing participants, self-reliant, and committed to a process of social reintegration.

Certain individuals will not be eligible for admission, including those with a history of sexual offenses or violence against children, active alcohol or drug use, or severe or unstable mental health issues.

The living environment will be governed by strict rules and a zero-tolerance policy regarding, in particular, violence, substance abuse, and behavior that disrupts the living environment.

An intervention team will be on site daily to support residents and promote positive relations with the neighbourhood.

The admission criteria exclude anyone with a history of sexual offenses or violence against children.

The John Howard Society of Quebec also seeks to collaborate with community organizations, schools, daycare centers (CPE) , and other neighbourhood stakeholders to promote a safe living environment.

No. Alcohol and drug use will not be permitted in the building. Residents will also not be allowed to return to their units while under the influence or intoxicated.

Compliance with these rules is part of the code of conduct to which residents must commit to.

The code of conduct will also apply to the area surrounding the building. Residents must behave respectfully toward their neighbours. Disruptive behaviour, including loitering that disturbs the peace around the building, will not be tolerated.

Yes. A response team will be on site primarily during the day and in the evening to provide individualized psychosocial support and ensure the smooth operation of the living environment.

At night, since the residents are independent and stable, operations will be similar to those of a typical residential building. However, an internal system will allow residents to contact a staff member in the event of a major problem.

A phone number will be provided to neighbours so they can contact the team if they have any concerns or want to report a situation before it becomes a problem.

The goal is to encourage dialogue and respond quickly when necessary.

No. The purpose of support and guidance is precisely to prevent and resolve problematic situations before police intervention becomes necessary.

Residents must comply with the project’s code of conduct. Serious misconduct or failure to comply with the rules may result in termination of residency.

Even in this situation, the John Howard Society of Quebec will work with the individual to refer them to resources better suited to their needs.

The details regarding visitors are still under consideration. If visits are permitted, they will be subject to specific rules.

The John Howard Society of Quebec has been working on this project with the City of Montreal and the Mercier–Hochelaga-Maisonneuve borough since 2023.

The project aims to address a specific need: to provide stable housing for people who have completed their stay in a transitional housing facility (or who did not need to stay in one) or who have been released from prison, but who require a supportive environment to solidify their reintegration into society.

The building will be constructed largely using a modular approach, with several components manufactured in a factory. This method is intended to reduce construction time and minimize disruption to the neighbourhood.

The exact timeline will depend on when construction begins and how the work progresses.

The project will replace a currently vacant lot with a modern residential building that will be managed by the John Howard Society of Quebec.

Beyond the building itself, the goal is to create a living environment that is well integrated into the neighbourhood and to maintain an ongoing dialogue with community and local organizations.

The John Howard Society of Quebec is a nonprofit organization that has been working for 80 years with people who have been incarcerated. Its mission is to support them in their reintegration into society in order to help build stronger and safer communities.

The organization already runs a similar housing project in Quebec City and plans to have a dedicated team for the Montreal project.