Milton Parc homelessness 'humanitarian crisis' persists, ombudsperson warns
Three years of inaction has worsened conditions; drug sales and crime now more concentrated.
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The homeless situation in Milton Parc has not improved in the three years since Montreal's ombudsperson first described it as a "humanitarian crisis," Nadine Mailloux reported to city council Monday.
The situation has grown more complex. Mailloux noted a significant increase in drug sales—particularly crack cocaine—and a much higher concentration of criminal activity. The core problem remains unchanged: a lack of resources for people dealing with mental health and addiction issues.
Her recommendations from 2022 called for structured city and borough resources to address homelessness. Mailloux's latest annual report, based on consultations with community groups and neighbourhood residents, found those recommendations had not been acted upon with sufficient force.
The findings come as residents in the Plateau-Mont-Royal borough have filed a class action lawsuit over homelessness concerns, and community groups are urging Quebec political parties to prioritize the issue ahead of provincial elections.