Summary#
The city council unanimously adopted a position on a grant package titled “Accorder un soutien financier totalisant 1 209 673 $ à différents organismes…” (“Grant a total of $1,209,673 to various organizations…”). It supports grants to 10 organizations for projects ending by March 31, 2028, and approval of agreements setting payment terms. The agglomeration council makes the final decision at a later meeting.
- The grants are proposed under the 2024–2029 funding agreement between Montréal and Québec’s Ministry of Employment and Social Solidarity (MESS).
- Projects focus on poverty, social exclusion and preventing or responding to homelessness, with particular attention to women and other named groups.
- The city council’s position does not itself make the grants final.
What it means for you#
- Organizations named for grants: If approved by the agglomeration council, the proposed amounts are: Association d’entraide Le Chaînon inc., $81,797; Auberge Madeleine, $111,112; La Fondation du refuge pour femmes Chez Doris inc., $100,848; La Maison Marguerite de Montréal inc., $94,461; La rue des Femmes de Montréal, $111,112; Bureau de consultation-jeunesse inc., $247,698; Les Maisons de l’Ancre inc., $110,778; Logifem inc., $111,112; Office municipal d’habitation de Montréal, $130,755; and Qavvivik centre de santé familiale et communautaire inuit, $110,000.
- People the projects aim to support: The projects include support for women experiencing or at risk of homelessness, including migrant and Inuit women, Indigenous women, and women and gender-diverse people. Other projects support young people at risk of homelessness and residents of public housing. These are project aims, not guaranteed services or outcomes.
- Other residents: The decision does not directly change eligibility for housing, benefits or city services.
Money#
The proposed grants total $1,209,673 over two years, ending March 31, 2028.
- City staff say the money comes from the MESS–Ville 2024–2029 funding agreement, and that the full expense would be borne by the agglomeration, with no impact on the city’s financial framework.
- The proposed agreements would set the terms and conditions for payments. The decision summary gives annual payment amounts for each organization, but does not include the agreement terms.
What is unclear#
- The agglomeration council’s final decision is not included in these materials.
- The agreements’ payment conditions, reporting requirements and consequences if a project does not meet them are not provided.
- The materials describe an analysis by the city’s Service de la diversité et de l’inclusion sociale, but do not explain how projects were scored or compared.
Case for#
- City staff say the projects address urgent needs related to homelessness and its causes, including access to services, social inclusion and housing stability.
- Funding organizations with different areas of expertise could support responses tailored to the needs of the groups described in the projects.
Case against#
- The materials do not provide outcome measures or evidence showing how the city will assess whether the funded projects improve housing stability or access to services.
- The selection criteria are stated, but the assessment and comparison of proposals are not explained in detail.