As Montreal faces an increasing homelessness crisis, the Catholic archdiocese has announced the establishment of the Roman Catholic Real Estate Corp. of Montreal. This new non-profit subsidiary aims to utilize real estate development as a means to address significant community needs and preserve heritage. This initiative is reportedly the first of its kind formed by a Catholic archdiocese.
Archbishop Christian Lépine highlighted the growing challenges of pastoral work due to dwindling congregations and aging buildings during an interview at the Mary Queen of the World Cathedral on March 26, 2025. In response to the homelessness issue, the left-leaning opposition party Québec solidaire previously urged the Coalition Avenir Québec government to consider underused or vacant church spaces as possible solutions.
Lépine mentioned that churches have historically been willing to offer space during crises, and some parishes have successfully converted previously clergy-only buildings into social housing. However, he emphasized that churches cannot tackle this issue alone; collaboration with city officials and various organizations is essential.
The Catholic Church in Montreal encompasses around 180 parishes. Stefano Marrone, who supervises church real estate operations, is set to lead the new non-profit. He expressed the goal of collaborating with different levels of government and potential partners to ensure that any development will have a social impact on the community.
Robert Beaudry, a member of Montreal's executive committee responsible for combating homelessness, appreciated the church's longstanding role as a haven for vulnerable individuals. He noted that numerous community initiatives have originated in church basements, including soup kitchens, emphasizing the historical relevance of churches in community action.
Beaudry mentioned that church buildings are often situated in prime community locations and frequently sold at attractive prices for repurposing. However, he acknowledged that many properties are in poor condition and would require extensive renovations to meet building codes if converted into shelters. He asserted that the significant demand for housing and shelters necessitates evaluating all available options, including unused government buildings, to adequately address the crisis.
Despite potential drawbacks related to building code compliance, Beaudry pointed out a recent acquisition by the city and province, amounting to approximately $2.5 million for a former church in the Rosemont area, aimed at serving vulnerable populations. However, the plan met with immediate community opposition prior to any formal announcement regarding its intended use as a homeless shelter.
Beaudry stressed that garnering social acceptability is crucial for each project, though he admitted that reaching consensus can be challenging when resistance and media scrutiny arise even before a project is fully outlined.
Mario Beauchamp, a social pastoral agent working in the Côte-des-Neiges neighborhood, opined that utilizing churches for housing is a last-resort option. He stated that while it may be feasible for churches on the verge of closure, it becomes complicated for active churches serving large congregations, considering issues around social cohabitation.
An example of a church’s involvement in offering support is St. Pascal Baylon, which served as an overnight warming center during winters until 2023. This initiative, run by a local community organization, provided food and shelter to several dozen individuals each night. However, Beauchamp noted that the church hesitated to rent out the space year-round due to concerns arising from several incidents of damage and vandalism linked to the shelter's operation. He acknowledged both the positive moments and the challenges that arose from the shelter's existence.
