Gatineau shipping container village full after one month
Village Transitiôn hopes to increase its 40 units to 100
A new project providing transitional housing in converted shipping containers in Gatineau, Que., is proving a success, advocates say.
On a parking lot next to the former Robert-Guertin Centre in Hull, Village Transitiôn aims to reduce homelessness by providing private and safe lodging to residents who previously lived in tents.
The first residents moved in shortly before Christmas and already the 40 units of the project's first stage are full.
"It's small ... but it's perfect," said one woman. CBC is not naming her due to the potential stigma associated with homelessness.
"Everything's new. You can choose your colours of your curtains, colour of your sheets on the bed, and everything's in there when you go there: toaster, coffee maker, everything's there."
As the residents settle into their new units, local councillor Steve Moran says this is a step in the right direction — but not a permanent solution.
Life in a shipping container
Gatineau land developer Devcore led development of the community, which is being managed by non-profit group Transitiôn Québec.
Village Transitiôn offers transitional housing for up to five years, charging residents rent pegged to 25 to 30 per cent of their income.
Nancy Martineau, executive director of Transitiôn Quebec, said she's seeing the community blossom as residents plan small gardens and a dog park.
"It's like a little family where you can have your own life without being judged and do your stuff and especially have a place to rest and to feel secure," she said.
To maintain that sense of safety, the village is equipped with a fence and has security on staff, Martineau said, with residents agreeing to abide by certain rules.
For example, for now, visitors are not allowed. Martineau said that's to ensure the community remains "good for everyone." In April, they plan to hold consultations with the residents to decide how and when visitors should be allowed.
But there's no rule preventing residents from using drugs at the village. Naloxone, a drug that rapidly reverses an opioid overdose, is kept on hand.
"Living in the street, it's not easy," Martineau said. "So we just hope them having a nice safe space may help."
While the structures are shipping containers, the residents are making themselves at home. Many have pets, including the woman to whom CBC spoke. Her dog is named Bandit.
"People will help each other, you know, if you're stuck, you know, people run out of cigarettes, milk, sugar, they'll help each other," she said. "It's gonna be a little village."
Gatineau's response to homelessness
Moran said this project builds on a previous project by Devcore in December 2023, when the company organized 28 heated tents for an encampment which occupied the space where Village Transitiôn now stands.
"I was one of the people very skeptical of that. I wasn't sure it was going to work," Moran admitted. "But it proved to be a success, if not a perfect success."
To respond to surging homelessness, the National Capital Region needs immediate short-term solutions, Moran said.
"My concern is that collectively we'll think, oh, great, people have a shelter and that's enough," he said.
In the Robert-Guertin Centre encampment, the number of tents rose from about 30 in 2019-20 to almost 100 by the end of 2023. Village Transitiôn gave priority to people living in those tents when selecting residents for the first 40 units.
Moran acknowledged that some in his ward are concerned the encampment will become a permanent fixture. He said that won't be the case, calling on the city and province to continue working to address homelessness.
"It's not enough and we can't be satisfied with just this," he said. "The real solution to homelessness is providing long term housing with community supports."
With Village Transitiôn's first 40 units full, the project is now hoping to expand to 100 units.
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