The St. James drop-in centre serving Montreal's homeless community is looking for a new location after conditions were placed on the lease that it feels are unfair.

The organization decided not to renew its lease with the St. James Montreal Church on Ste. Catherine St. west after taking up residence there the past three and a half years.

“It's very sorrowful. It's very heartbreaking,” said member Kenny Proute.

Helping the homeless since 1985, the centre offers food, clothing and shelter, but also builds the self-esteem and creates a sense of belonging for its 150 members.

“They don't just come here sit down, receive something and leave,” said executive director Alain Spitzer. “They are a part of it all. I think it's the part that keeps members here.”

Board chair Sarah Benny said the conditions in the new rules, including which entrance can be used by homeless people, sent the wrong message and so the centre is looking for a new place to continue its work.

“We found that was impossible to accept,” she said. “Very specific lease provisions surrounding discipline on the site and also exclusion and banning our members at the discretion of the church.”

“Asking our members to use a different entrance after three years, in a back alley, that speaks volumes about the understandings of them as humans – or rather reflects a dehumanizing approach,” said Berry.

The church insists the new rules are to ensure everyone’s safety because it has concerns about some of the behaviour by some of the members of the drop-in center.

The church feels the conditions are a reasonable way to stop problems such as violence and defecation on the front lawn.

“We've been very happy to offer as much space as we can, but unfortunately we cannot offer all the space at all times with no rules,” said Pastor Graham Singh.

“We want this church to be safe for everyone who comes in and for all who come to this place to participate in making this a safe place,” added Bishop Mary Irwin-Gibson of the Anglican Archdiocese of Montreal.

The lease expires at the end of the month.