Ricochet shelter purchases West Island building, plans 60 affordable housing units
The homeless shelter secures permanent home in Pierrefonds, ending years of housing uncertainty for vulnerable residents and positioning for major expansion.
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Ricochet homeless shelter has officially purchased its building on Gouin Boulevard West in Pierrefonds, ending what the organization calls "years of uncertainty for vulnerable people."
The acquisition marks a major milestone. The shelter was forced to leave its previous location when the lease expired in May 2024, displacing about 50 clients. It reopened at the current location six weeks later. Without the building purchase, Ricochet says 80 people "could have ended up on the streets."
With ownership secured, Ricochet plans to renovate the currently unoccupied second floor to create 60 affordable housing units. The number of emergency beds will be reduced from 80 to 48, shifting the shelter's focus toward housing stability.
"We are finally offering a structural solution to the housing crisis," said Tania Charron, Ricochet's executive director. "We are proving that with political and community determination, it is possible to integrate a comprehensive approach — including affordable housing — into the heart of our neighborhoods in a dignified and harmonious way."
The facts
How many affordable housing units will Ricochet create?
Ricochet shelter plans to create 60 affordable housing units by renovating the second floor of its building on Gouin Boulevard West in Pierrefonds.
What happened to Ricochet's previous location?
Ricochet shelter's previous lease expired in May 2024, displacing about 50 clients. The shelter reopened at its current Pierrefonds location six weeks later.
How many emergency beds will Ricochet operate after the renovation?
Ricochet shelter will reduce its emergency beds from 80 to 48 after the second floor renovation, shifting focus toward housing stability.
