Réhabex, a social rehabilitation organization in western Quebec, has launched a new mobile service called “Réhabus” to support people experiencing homelessness. The Réhabus is equipped with a shower, laundry facilities, clothing, snacks, and a private space for consultations with a social worker. It will begin service on Monday, traveling through Gatineau, Pontiac, Petite-Nation, and Maniwaki.
Réhabex’s general manager, Patrick Pilon, emphasized that this initiative addresses the lack of access to basic necessities for many homeless individuals, noting that the region has not previously had such a service. The Collectif régional de lutte à l’itinérance en Outaouais (CRIO), which advocates for the homeless, welcomed the new service, highlighting the significant rise in homelessness in the area.
The annual cost of the Réhabus program is $275,000. The project has been supported by local private companies and entrepreneurs. Hull-Wright Coun. Steve Moran expressed that while the provincial and federal governments have not adequately addressed the issue, the private sector’s involvement is a crucial step in bridging this gap.
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