Ricochet: The West Island’s Only Shelter

Since December 2020, Ricochet (Hébergement/Homes) has been operating the first shelter for people experiencing homelessness in the West Island. The Ricochet Centre is a safe place that accommodates up to 48 people who have no place to sleep at night. They can eat, shower, do their laundry, warm up or cool down, sleep, and talk with psychosocial workers. It is open 7 days a week, 24 hours a day. Its services include the operation of the Ricochet shuttle service that takes beneficiaries back to the centre as needed, located on Gouin Boulevard West in Pierrefonds-Roxboro. 

The Ricochet Centre is the only reception service for people experiencing homelessness between the west end of the Island of Montreal and downtown Montreal. It serves citizens who come mostly from the West Island, all of its municipalities combined. Its mission is to build relationships between different partners in order to create the social safety net necessary to support each person welcomed at Ricochet. 

In the past year, Ricochet’s actions have had a positive impact within the various municipalities of the West Island:  

● 171 different people used the accommodation services 

● The accommodation services provided 5,576 individual nights 

● 32 beneficiaries received individualized support in consumption management 

● 15 people found permanent housing thanks to the help of the psychosocial workers 

● 19,588 meals were served 

● 1,168 support sessions were provided with the shuttle 

The year 2024 has marked the significance of Ricochet and its services. 

Costs of $60,000 were incurred following a forced relocation of its services in order to adapt the premises to its operational needs. In addition, the increase in demand for accommodation services has forced Ricochet to find solutions such as the acquisition of a new vehicle to provide escorts and additional tasks, a cost estimated at $70,000. These circumstances have also called on it to create new positions, such as that of chef, in order to meet the dietary needs of the people Ricochet welcomes. These significant expenses are positioning the organization in a budget deficit. 

There is a shortage of more than 3,500 emergency shelter spaces in Montreal, according to the 2022 count. In two years, these numbers have increased dramatically. The impact of Ricochet in the West Island and its municipalities is undeniable; each person sheltered, housed, fed, and served is one less person on our streets. 

Homelessness is a complex social problem, and the various social crises we face only increase the number of our fellow citizens who find themselves in this situation. The impact is felt across the metropolis, but as an organization involved in the community, we choose to act and put in place the necessary means to support all those who come to our doors. 

There is still time to take action. It is by showing solidarity at all levels that we can effectively support these people, and, at Ricochet, we deeply believe that it is our responsibility, as a community, to ensure that each of our fellow citizens is treated with respect and dignity. 

In order to avoid service disruptions or a reduction in the services offered by Ricochet, we are calling on you. For more information about Ricochet and how to make a donation, please visit https://www.ricochetwestisland.com/.