Two years ago, the MRC of Brome-Missisquoi set up a small committee with the Office d’Habitation de Brome-Missisquoi to help address the housing crisis in the region. 

The committee’s mission was to help people that were looking for housing and those that were going to lose their home and needed help finding a new place to live, particularly around the provincial moving date of July 1. The committee also found temporary housing for people living in-between homes and that had nowhere to go. 

Realizing that the lack of housing isn’t just a July 1 issue, the committee decided to continue providing aid and support to find more solutions to help those that are unhoused or do not have permanent housing. 

Facing difficult weather conditions and cold temperatures for the next few months, two pilot projects are now being coordinated in Cowansville and Farnham to provide a safe space where people can warm up, be directed to the right services and resources, and, if needed, be transported to an over-night shelter. 

“We realized that we have more and more homelessness in the area. There are people looking for temporary housing who are temporarily without a home, but then there are also people who are really homeless. Some people have been homeless for a while, others it’s been a short period. Most homelessness is accidental,” said Tania Szymanski, coordinator of community development for the MRC of Brome-Missisquoi. 

With the collaboration of municipalities, community organizations, and those that work in health and social services, the committee has set up two ‘warming centres’ as its first major initiative.

“It’s a place to get warm, to rest, we’re going to have warm coats, socks, mitts, the stuff that people need; even military grade sleeping bags if people stay out in the cold,” noted Szymanski. 

There are two outreach workers that will be present at each warming centre, added Szymanski. 

“The outreach worker is there to provide aid for those that show up, it’s not just to stay warm. If  you need services, if you want to get back into the system, they’re there to help. Since the warming centres are not shelters, and it’s a very cold night, they’re going to make the phone calls necessary to find a place in a shelter,” she said. 

The committee set aside a budget for transportation to the existing shelters to make sure that people get to where they need to go. 

“We have a budget for transportation to bring people to either Sherbrooke or Montreal if there is nothing available in Granby. We can even provide transportation to bring people back because sometimes people have been in the community for a long time, like I said sometimes it’s very temporary their situation, so we’re going to do whatever we can to help people get on their feet,” noted Szymanski. 

The pilot projects are supported by various actors in Brome-Missisquoi. 

“The MRC that I work for put $20,000 towards the project. Centreaide put some money, we got a reduced rent with Uniprix, our MNA Isabelle Charest donated money, Desjardins donated money, we even had the BMP Foundation donate money. The foundation, normally it’s for stuff that has to do with health services, the hospital, equipment, but they saw the importance of being able to help people that are in crisis and in need in more of social aspect,” explained Szymanski. 

The CIUSSS de l'Estrie - CHUS is also involved in the project and different community organizations. 

“The outreach workers are provided by community organizations. We have, in Cowansville, Maison des Jeunes, Cellule Jeunes et Familles, and Espace Vivant Living Room that are contributing with their human resources. In Farnham, it’s the Maison des Jeunes,” added Szymanski. 

A more recent donation came from Brome Lake based company KDC/One. 

“We approached them and asked if they could donate some products so that people can have showers. It’s important to keep your dignity when you’re homeless. You’re still a human being, you want to be treated like a human being, and part of that is being able to take a hot shower,” said Szymanski. 

I think another thing that’s  important is that the two warming centres were established in those two communities because that’s where we see the most homelessness, emphasized Szymanski, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t homelessness outside of that area. 

“There is also aid that’s provided for people that are outside of those two municipalities. We have a bit of a budget to either bring people to the warming centre or to find temporary solutions to make sure that they are out of the cold on those nights that are -20, and sometimes even when it’s not -20,” explained Szymanski. “Sometimes people just need a break, it’s not easy living outside on the street not having a home. We’re there to also provide a mental health break.”

Szymanski said that it’s important that the public is sensitized to the fact that there is homelessness present in the region. 

“If you see someone that is kind of lounging around and isn’t bothering anybody, sometimes just let them be; they’re humans. If you see someone between two doors trying to stay warm or just standing there, let them stay warm. I think it’s important to remember that we’re all human and we all go through different ups and downs in our lives,” she emphasized.

As funding for the pilot projects are temporary and fundraising campaigns are necessary, those interested in donating can reach out to the MRC of Brome-Missisquoi. 

The warming centre in Cowansville is open Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays at 101 rue Albert (under the Uniprix) from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. 

The warming centre in Farnham is open Monday and Thursday at 151 rue Principale Est (near Carrefour Jeunesse-Emploi from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Listen to the full interview below: