Summary#
Montréal city council unanimously set its position to award $760,033 in grants for October 1, 2026, to March 31, 2028, under the existing Entente administrative sur la gestion du Fonds québécois d'initiatives sociales - Alliances pour la solidarité (Ville-MTESS 2024-2029), and to approve grant agreements. The stated goal is to support projects to prevent homelessness among migrants with precarious or no immigration status. The agglomeration council makes the final decision at a later meeting.
- The proposed grants are $160,033 for Regroupement d'Organismes en Hébergement pour Personnes Migrantes, for work to prevent homelessness through coordination.
- Médecins du monde would receive $300,000 for outreach and capacity-building to prevent homelessness among migrant populations with precarious status.
- Mission communautaire de Montréal would receive $300,000 for mobile legal clinics in shelters.
- The grants would be governed by agreements with the organizations; the decision does not set out those agreements’ terms.
What it means for you#
- The three organizations: If the agglomeration council approves the grants, they would receive the amounts above for the named projects, subject to their agreements with the City.
- Migrants with precarious or no immigration status: The projects are intended to improve access to rights, services and resources and help prevent homelessness. The decision does not create an individual benefit or guarantee access to housing or legal services.
- Other residents and organizations: The decision does not directly change general eligibility for municipal services or create a new program open to applicants.
Money#
City staff report that the $760,033 is available and will be fully paid by the agglomeration, using funding under the Ville-MTESS 2024-2029 agreement.
- Staff say the spending has no impact on the City’s financial framework.
- No separate estimate for administration or other costs is provided.
What is unclear#
- The grant agreements’ detailed conditions, payment schedules and reporting requirements are not included.
- The materials do not give project targets or explain how results will be measured.
- Staff say three organizations were invited to submit proposals, but the materials do not explain the selection criteria or provide comparisons with other possible projects.
Case for#
- The projects address homelessness risks among migrants with precarious or no immigration status through coordination, outreach and legal support. City staff say this can improve access to services and strengthen community organizations’ ability to help.
- The three projects cover related needs, which could make their work complementary.
Case against#
- The decision commits $760,033, but the available materials do not show the agreements’ conditions or how the City will assess whether the projects meet their goals.
- Only three organizations were invited to submit proposals; the materials do not explain why those organizations were selected.