St. James drop-in centre to close over lease dispute with church

MONTREAL – The drop-in centre at St. James Church that houses many of Montreal’s homeless will soon be shutting its doors for good.

The centre, located at 1439 Sainte-Catherine St. Ouest, is choosing not to renew its lease at the end of the month because of new restrictions by the church.

READ MORE: Montreal vows to protect homeless, names first ombudsman

John Hawkins is one of many who call the lawn of the St. James Church home.

“This is the essential part of my life,” he said, adding that he goes to the drop-in centre next door every day.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "This is the essential part of my life," he said, adding that he goes to the drop-in centre next door every day.

“I rely on this as my main form of sustenance.”

“I don’t know what I’ll do,” said Justin Couilard after coming out of the centre.

“If anything happens here, I guess I’ll have to move on.”

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "If anything happens here, I guess I'll have to move on."

Reverend Graham Singh insisted the new rules are to ensure the safety of the congregation and church members.

READ MORE: ‘You can’t leave them like that’: Woman provides clothing for Montreal’s homeless

“There’s some new rules about drug use, condoms, defecation and urination on the grounds,” he said in a phone conversation.

“We want to be careful that the church grounds are not used as a toilet.”

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "We want to be careful that the church grounds are not used as a toilet."

Other restrictions include where the homeless can enter the building and where they can stand outside.

Anyone who violates the rules will be banned.

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The drop-in centre’s director, Alan Spitzer, argued the restrictions make it impossible to help those in need.

“How do we continue to do what we need to do and serve people in a dignified manner?” he asked.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "How do we continue to do what we need to do and serve people in a dignified manner?" he asked.

“That won’t be possible here anymore.”

The drop-in centre started operating in 1985 and has been at the St. James location for over three years.

“The majority of the people who utilize the drop-in centre have mental issues and take medication,” said Hawkins.

“They’re not necessarily at the top of their game. I think the new minister is lacking in the message that he’s supposedly preaching.”

READ MORE: Montreal homelessness problem goes beyond the downtown core: report

Spitzer said the drop-in centre is now looking for a new home.

“I thought this was going to be a fit for a long time,” he said.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "I thought this was going to be a fit for a long time," he said.

“It’s a little surprising that we’re leaving after three and a half years.”