THE L'ABRI STORY

L’Abri en Ville was an initiative of the Inter-church Social Service Planning Committee (ICSSPC), an interfaith group in downtown Montreal, which met monthly to discuss and address local social problems.

One identified need was for supportive long-term housing for persons living with a mental illness and who were capable of living independently. We were also inspired by the project C.A.R.E. (Create a Rehabilitative Community).

A committee was formed, which became the nucleus of a future board, and over two years the necessary community support was identified. Temporary office space was found, seed money was secured to hire a coordinator part time and to supply basic office needs, and the project was incorporated.

The first apartment was opened in 1991 and at approximately one-year intervals so were nine more. In 2003, with ten apartments, 30 residents and upwards of 60 volunteers as well as a staff of three coordinators, the decision was made to open no new apartments but instead to work at sharing this very successful model with other interested communities.