Rustik Motel to be converted into housing for homeless

On Friday, March 25th the Fédération régionale des OSBL d’habitation de la Montérégie et de l’Estrie (FROHME) announced that Châteauguay’s Rustik Motel will be transformed into 31 social housing units for the homeless and those at risk of becoming homeless.

Translation Amanda Bennett

The majority of apartments should be ready by the end of 2022, indicated Martin Bécotte, FROHME’s Director. With the exception three new units that will be built on the second floor, the motel transformation work will mainly consist of updating the ventilation system, renovating the facade and adapting the building to ensure compliance with fire safety regulations. Each of the former motel’s rooms will be transformed into furnished studio apartments.  

“In our line of work we see the huge housing needs on a daily basis,” explained Mr. Bécotte adding that another Châteauguay organization, Élan des Jeunes, receives federal funding to support the homeless in the private sector.

“Despite the fact that there was enough funding to help 20 people, they were only able to help 4 because there weren’t enough housing units available in the private sector,” he said.  

The building’s geographic location on boulevard Saint-Jean-Baptiste was of particular interest to FROHME because of its proximity to public services and access to public transportation.

Partnership with Kahnawake and the CISSSMO

Additionally, as the territory of Kahnawake is located nearby, Kahnawake has become a partner within the project. At least 5 units will be reserved for people from the Indigenous community. Kahnawake’s social services team will provide them with support.

FROHME also formed a partnership with the CISSS de la Montérégie-Ouest (CISSSMO), which will have workers on site approximately 17 hours per week, noted David Gaulin, the Director of Mental Health and Addiction programs at the CISSSMO.

A list of future tenants will be created by a permanent committee including the CISSSMO, Kahnawake’s social services and possibly other community organizations.

Project taken over by the Rapid Housing Initiative

Estimated at $6M, the project will be funded by the Rapid Housing Initiative program. FROHME had initially proposed this initiative, without success, in 2021.

“What happened was we made a first cut because there were too many applications,” explained  [U1]  Brenda Shanahan, Federal MP for Châteauguay-Lacolle. “We worked to put more money into the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation for the program.”

In February, the federal and provincial governments announced that an another $338M would be added to the program. The funding comes from the federal government, but it is the provincial government that decides where the money goes.

The building’s tenants might also benefit from additional housing support within the Société d’Habitation du Québec’s (SHQ) rent supplement program. The assistance, which could amount to $3.5M over 20 years, will be funded by the SHQ (90%) and the City of Châteauguay (10%).

From left to right : Châteauguay MNA MarieChantal Chassé; Kahnawake’s social services’ Alana Kane; FROHME director Martin Bécotte; Châteauguay-Lacolle MP Brenda Shanahan and Mohawk Council of Kahnawake chief Ratitsénhaienhs Alan John Rice announced the project on March 25th 2022. (Photo : Le Soleil - Paula Dayan-Perez)