Acquisition of the Ricochet Center

Ricochet secures 48 emergency beds and announces the creation of 60 new affordable housing units

Ricochet (Hébergement/Homes), the first and only organization offering housing and support services to people experiencing homelessness in Montreal’s West Island, announces the official acquisition of its building, located at 9451 Gouin Boulevard West in Pierrefonds. After ten years of continuous work to develop affordable housing, the organization has reached a historic milestone: without this acquisition, 80 people could have ended up on the streets.

This victory puts an end to years of uncertainty for vulnerable people. The community will remember the outcry in May 2024, when the shelter’s abrupt six-week closure forced the organization to turn 50 people out onto the streets. Today, the acquisition of this building ensures that the doors of the Ricochet Center will remain open permanently, providing a stable and safe environment for the most vulnerable members of our community.

From Housing Crisis to Affordable Housing

Ricochet is bringing its long-term vision to life: to create a continuum of services to help people in emergency housing situations transition to stable, suitable housing. The organization will soon renovate the second floor of the building, which is currently vacant, to create about 60 affordable housing units.

This transition will help rebalance service provision by reducing the number of emergency beds from 80 to 48, thereby facilitating direct access to stable housing while maintaining an essential emergency safety net. Psychosocial interventions will be maximized to support the social reintegration of those in our care.

“Becoming owners isn’t just about acquiring a building; it’s about ensuring our permanent presence where the needs are most urgent. We will never again be at the mercy of eviction or forced relocation, which further destabilizes the people we support. This building finally gives us the stability we need to deliver our services and offer a real path to social reintegration.” Tania Charron, Executive Director of Ricochet

“Housing is often the starting point toward a better quality of life, safety and stability. Ricochet will offer dignified and secure living environments to vulnerable people. This collective mobilization reflects our determination to strengthen our social safety net and respond concretely to the homelessness crisis affecting our metropolis.” Benoit Langevin, Director of Social Development and Cohabitation, Executive Committee, City of Montréal

Putting Harmonious Coexistence at the Heart of Our Efforts

True to its values of inclusion, goodwill and solidarity, Ricochet reaffirms its commitment to fostering harmonious coexistence between people experiencing homelessness and housed citizens. The organization’s housing stability now enables it to pursue this essential long-term goal, particularly through its social mediation program and services.

“With the creation of these 60 affordable housing units, we are reversing the cycle of perpetual crisis. We are finally offering a structural solution to the housing crisis. 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.” Tania Charron, Executive Director of Ricochet

Financial Solidarity

This major acquisition was made possible thanks to a rigorous financial plan and the support of committed partners who believe in a more equitable community. Ricochet confirms that the project has passed the selection and preliminary approval stage with the SHQ as part of the PHAQ, with the participation of Build Canada Homes. It is within this regulatory framework that development financing was granted by the National Bank of Canada, thereby enabling the official acquisition of the property. The organization would also like to acknowledge the financial support provided by Hockey Helps the Homeless, West Island Community Shares and the Desjardins GoodSpark Fund.