Aboriginal homeless in Montreal get new help

New services areon the way to help with a growing number of homelessAboriginal people in Montreal, city officials confirmedMonday.

Inuit and First Nationsrepresent almost one-third of the homeless in the city, wherethey oftengather at Metro stations.

• Putting a face on aboriginal homelessness in Montreal
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New services by theSocit de dveloppement social de Ville-Marie(SDVSM) will now be available in five Metro stations.Three people will patrol theBerri-UQAM, Bonaventure, McGill and AtwaterMetro stations andbe able to offer much more thansocks and juice to homeless aboriginal people.

We face an important housing crisis in northern Quebec, that is part of why there is this situation in the city.Robbie Watt, Makivik Corporation

"We are talking about going out there and directing them to shelters where they can get three meals a day, showers, haircut, cleaning services, but also health exams, with Doctors Without Borders, because they usually dont go to the hospital,"said Damien Sils, general director at theSDSVM.

It is more than an initiative to feel good before the holidays,said Montreal Mayor Denis Coderre. We have the political will to make it a three-year investment.

A mobile home with a doctor and health services will also go around the city. Almost sevenout of 10 homeless persons have a mental health issue, according to Dr. Nicolas Bergeron from Doctors Without Borders.

Makivik Corporation is a partner in this initiative. We face an important housing crisis in northern Quebec, that is part of why there is this situation in the city,said Makivik executive assistant Robbie Watt.

Makivik Corporation, representing the interests of Inuit of Nunavik, is providing services to all Inuit beneficiaries of the James Bay and Northern Agreement," addedWatt, "even when they live a situation in Montreal."

For now, the second phase of this program does not include a new Aboriginal homeless shelter, butSils said oneis on the way for 2015. Everything is almost secure in terms of financing and permits, but we are not yet able to confirm its location.