Summary#
On March 23, 2026, Montréal city council unanimously adopted its position on the decision titled Accorder un soutien financier… (grant funding under the Programme itinérance et milieux inclusifs 2026-2028). It set the city’s position to grant $42,667 to Dîners St-Louis and to recommend other grants and funding increases; the agglomeration council makes the final decision at a later meeting. The program’s stated goal is to support social inclusion and improve coexistence in public spaces.
- The city’s position covers 16 new projects: 15 grants totalling $5,407,736, plus $42,667 for Dîners St-Louis. Together, these add up to $5,450,403.
- It also recommends $3,942,461 in additional funding for 10 projects already receiving support. Their total funding would rise to $9,477,116.
- The full recommended amount is $9,392,864 over three years, ending December 31, 2028. Projects are scheduled to start in April 2026.
What it means for you#
- Community organizations: The 16 new-project recipients are Architecture Sans Frontières Québec; Mouvement ATD Quart Monde du Canada; Clinique Droits Devant; Corporation du Centre Jean-Claude-Malépart; Dîners St-Louis; En Marge 12-17; Inter-Action du Quartier Peter-McGill; Le Bon Dieu dans la rue; Le PAS de la rue; Les YMCA du Québec; Mission Bon Accueil; Prévention Côte-des-Neiges-Notre-Dame-de-Grâce; Sentier urbain; Société de Développement Social; Société Ressources-Loisirs de Pointe-aux-Trembles; and Travail de rue / action communautaire.
- Organizations receiving increased funding: Accueil Bonneau inc.; L'Amour en Action, action Syl Dan; La Maison Benoît Labre; La rue des Femmes de Montréal; Maison du Père; Plein Milieu; Projet Ado Communautaire en travail de rue; Ricochet (Hébergement/Homes); Rue Action Prévention Jeunesse; and Spectre de rue inc.
- Residents and people experiencing homelessness: The projects address inclusion, public-space coexistence, awareness, mediation, and related services. The decision does not itself create a new service or guarantee particular results.
- Taxpayers: The decision directs funding from the agglomeration budget. It does not change taxes, fees, or fines.
Money#
The recommended public spending is $9,392,864 over three years, paid from the agglomeration budget.
- City staff say the full amount is budgeted and would not affect the City of Montréal’s financial framework; the agglomeration would bear the expense.
- The $9,392,864 total includes $5,450,403 for 16 new projects—including the separate $42,667 for Dîners St-Louis—and $3,942,461 in increases for 10 existing projects.
- The decision approves project agreements and an addendum setting out payment terms. Staff schedule progress reports for January 2027 and January 2028, and final reports for January 2029.
What is unclear#
- The decision materials do not give project-by-project measures for judging whether the intended results are achieved.
- The resolution’s headline lists $5,407,736 for 15 organizations, while its separate Dîners St-Louis grant adds $42,667. The staff summary counts that grant among 16 new projects and gives the combined total as $5,450,403.
Case for#
- City staff say the projects were assessed and that the organizations were checked for operational capacity, budget feasibility, and reporting requirements.
- The grants support a range of projects, rather than only one kind of response to homelessness.
- Multi-year funding could help organizations plan their work through the end of 2028.
Case against#
- The materials state broad goals, but do not provide specific outcome measures that would show whether the projects improve inclusion or coexistence.
- Nearly $9.4 million is committed across 26 projects, but the decision materials do not compare the expected results of these projects with other possible uses of that funding.