McMUN 2026 presents our conference theme as “Building the Future: Addressing Homelessness, Creating Sustainable Communities” invites delegates to engage with one of the most pressing urban challenges of our time, the global housing crisis. From rising rates of homelessness in major cities to the deepening inequities in access to safe, affordable housing, this issue lies at the intersection of sustainability, social justice, and human rights. 

Sustainable cities cannot exist without inclusive communities. That’s why this year, we aim to spotlight the systemic causes and wide-ranging consequences of housing insecurity. Through meaningful debate, collaboration with our charity partner, and other McMUN partners, we hope to explore how communities are not only built, but rooted in resilience, dignity, and inclusion, and how each of us has a role in shaping cities that leave no one behind. 

This year, McMUN 2026 is proud to partner with The Open Door Montréal/La Porte Ouverte as our official charity partner. The Open Door Montréal is a low-barrier emergency shelter that operates 24/7, 365 days a year, offering a variety of programs and services for individuals experiencing homelessness, with priority given to the unhoused Indigenous communities of Milton Parc. Programs and services are developed with an unwavering commitment to cultural safety and harm reduction in a warm, client-centred environment.

In addition to the emergency shelter, day, and night centre, they have a team dedicated to outreach, mediation and community cohabitation, as well as a Housing First program for members of the Indigenous community (mainly Inuit).

The goal is not simply to get people off the streets, but to provide them with a comprehensive array of supports that help them achieve the stability they need to move forward in their lives. By providing emergency shelter and support in a client-centred environment, The Open Door Montreal aims to create an atmosphere of trust and respite, while directing people to the services and resources best suited to their needs.

You can donate to The Open Door during your committee sessions, online on our website, or through our Headshot Fundraiser that will be happening in-between committee on Friday and Saturday.