The old Royal Victoria Hospital to open as temporary homeless shelter

For the second consecutive winter, the old Royal Victoria Hospital is opening its doors as a temporary overnight shelter for Montreal’s homeless.

People in need will be able to escape the winter’s frigid temperatures from now until March 31, 2020.

Three Montreal shelters are working together in the initiative: the Mission Bon Accueil-Welcome Hall Mission, Maison du Pere, and Accueil Bonneau.

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The Royal Vic shelter is opening a month earlier than it did last winter and is almost doubling up its bed totals, going from 82 last year to 150.

Maison du Pere say that this year’s extra beds are “essential” because the main focus is getting people off the streets.

The shelter is described as “high accessibility,” according to Mission Bon Accueil-Welcome Hall Mission, as it welcomes “anyone experiencing homelessness” while providing food and shelter for pets as well.

The Royal Vic will also offer shuttle services between the shelter and downtown Montreal and a heated space supervised by outreach workers.