Montreal grants nearly $2M to new Chez Doris overnight women's shelter

A Montreal women's day shelter will soon be providing homeless women a place to stay overnight thanks, in part, to a city grant of nearly $2 million to support the project.

Chez Doris, which serves downtown's western sector, purchased a residential building last year near its headquarters on Chomedy Street with the help of a $1-million private donation. The city has rezoned the building so it can serve as an emergency shelter.

In a statement Monday, Chez Doris executive director Marina Boulos-Winton said $1,548,686 of the city's funding will go to major renovations at thenew building and $339,700 will be earmarked for long-term maintenance of the shelter which will have 22 emergency overnight beds by 2021.

"At the moment, women make up about 25 per cent of the homeless population in Montreal and the resources dedicated to women in vulnerable situations are far from sufficient," she said in a statement.

"This investment is another step in the right direction."

In a news conference Monday, Montreal Mayor Valrie Plante said the city is in dire need of social and affordable housing.

"It has become increasingly urgent to make sure everyone has a decent roof over their heads," she said, noting the city has set aside $10 million to support innovative housing projects.

• Chez Doris plans new emergency shelter for women in downtown Montreal

The number of women that Chez Doris serves is "constantly growing," said Plante, and the city's support of the new shelter will "help us achieve our goal of making Montreal a supportive living environment where it's good to live for everyone."

When the emergency shelter opens, the current day centre will continue to operate. It offers meals, showers, hygienic products and clean clothes, as well as an array of activities and counselling.