Sally Ann shut out

With the city on the brink of a homeless crisis, one of the last remaining shelters for the mentally ill announced it might throw its 77 clients into the cold this winter.
The director of the Salvation Army shelter at Guy and St-Antoine says the provincial government health board refused his request for $300,000 because his shelter provides specialized services to the mentally ill. “If [you want funding] for a flop house it’s okay, but if you’re dealing with mental health professionals, it’s not,” says Bertrand Lessard.
The shelter houses and feeds 200 homeless people, who are asked to pay roughly 75 per cent of their monthly income—an average of $556 per person per month, Lessard says. But even though the homeless have to pay the bulk of their bills, the Sally Ann can’t afford to pay for the mentally ill’s special needs.
The Sally Ann isn’t accepting new clients and is refusing to take back clients who’ve left for extended periods. Lessard says he is down to 28 staff, from 48 four years ago. “I see my staff with dark circles under their eyes. We have no choice but to lower the number of beds slowly,” says Lessard.
Provincial health board rep Sonia Côté says she is looking for “creative solutions” to the funding problem, but would not commit to any plans.
Following the Sally Ann’s announcement, the city destroyed an eight-man shantytown under the Notre Dame overpass on Friday. :

—Craig Segal