A new emergency shelter in the downtown YMCA building welcomed 455 people in the five days following its opening during last week’s cold snap, in addition to serving about 600 soups and more than 1,000 coffees.

Montreal Mayor Soraya Martinez Ferrada said during Wednesday morning’s executive committee meeting that the figures show the severity of the homelessness crisis and the need for recent measures taken by the city.

“I think it’s important to talk about these statistics because behind the numbers are people, human beings,” Martinez Ferrada told the committee’s members. “There are lives, faces and stories.”

Since taking office after the Nov. 2 municipal election, Martinez Ferrada has repeatedly stated the homeless crisis is her top priority.

The city is attempting to open 500 new pl

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