MONTREAL — Someone walking by Addington House in Notre-Dame-de-Grace would likely miss it.
Sitting on a quiet residential street corner, it looks like any other home on the block, concealing its purpose as a centre for the treatment of addiction.
It has been in its current location since 2002, and has occupied two other NDG addresses during its 25-year history.
But after residents complained to the City of Montreal, it may have to find a new address.
“The city has advised us there have been complaints from neighbours,” said George Goldberger, the centre’s executive director.
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“The city is asking us to relocate.”
But relocation isn’t going to be easy.
The house needs to occupy a property zoned institutional in areas that are residential, as much of its strategy involves treating people in a familiar environment.
Addington House is a non-profit that charges $21,000 for a three-month stay.
“It’s a homey type of atmosphere, it doesn’t look like a hospital or an institution,” Goldberger said.
Yet recent efforts to find a new home haven’t been encouraging. Addington House recently held an open house on Montclair Street when it was trying to move into a home there.
Its potential neighbours were nonplussed.
“My neighbour over there is not happy at all. Nobody is,” said Maria Luciani, who would have been a next-door neighbour.
Mischa Phillips lives near the house’s current site. She said she doesn’t have a problem with it being nearby, “people need help,” she said.
City councillors who deal with NDG did not return calls seeking comment.
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