Organization Name: Saint Martin’s Blocks Citizens’ Committee (SMBC)
Background: founded in 1967, by by residents of Montreal’s Little Burgundy neighborhood with the representative, Mrs. Jeanne Leblancin, in response to urban renewal plans that threatened to displace low-income families.
The population of Little Burgundy: around 14,710 in 1966.
The Government’s Urban Renewal Project: aimed to improve and rebuild the area of Montreal, including Little Burgundy, resulting in the demolition of many homes and businesses.
Primary Goal of the Committee: advocates for affordable housing solutions and greater protections for residents who may be displaced by the projects.
Key Objective: Ensure that redevelopment plans prioritize affordable housing and protect existing residents from urban renewal.
Recent Action: Discussed concerns over the proposed redevelopment plan and its impact on local residents with City Hall representatives on March 27th, 1967.
Main Concerns: The lack of affordable housing in the redevelopment plans, the risk of displacing low-income residents, and not involving the community in the decision-making process.
Outcome of the Meeting: City Hall representatives acknowledged the committee’s concerns and agreed to collaborate on creating fairer housing solutions in the future.
Future Action: Follow-up meeting with the City Hall representatives to negotiate the decision-making and work together.
