Photo credit: Martin Chamberland, La Presse
December 2023 marks the opening of Le Christin in Montreal, the largest building to fight homelessness in Quebec. With 114 units, Le Christin means housing stability for many populations at risk for being homeless. The Fondation des jeunes de la DPJ is therefore proud to take part in this project by renting two studios for youths in the care of the DYP transitioning to adulthood.
The social housing building, developed by the Société d’habitation et de développement de Montréal (SHDM) and Accueil Bonneau, and operated by the latter, provides a caring and safe living environment.
The Fondation rents two studios at Le Christin, which will be used as trial apartments for youths – both boys and girls – in the care of the DYP transitioning to independent living. The youths will be able to spend some time there, living in an apartment and developing skills needed for adulthood, and learning to live together. This is an innovative project that the Fondation wants to see replicated across the province.
Le Christin encourages social diversity and is a breath of fresh air in the homeless housing ecosystem, which is mostly geared toward a typical, homogenous clientele. At Le Christin, seniors in a precarious financial situation are living next to young families, as well as youths in the care of the DYP transitioning to independent living and students.
Le Christin will allow some hundred vulnerable people to not only have access to housing, but also to benefit from on-site psychosocial support. Le Christin is proof that by working together, we can execute ambitious ideas that make a real difference in people’s lives.
Projects like Le Christin provide a real opportunity for youths in the care of the DYP to take their first step toward adulthood in a living environment that fosters their independence, and their integration into the community. It’s an ambitious initiative that we want to see replicated.