When they hear a knock on their apartment door, residents don’t expect to meet a stranger offering free support on everything from rent increases and unhealthy living conditions to government services. But that’s exactly how Project Genesis volunteers like Erik Hamon connect with and support residents across the Côte-des-Neiges neighbourhood in Montréal.
Erik, a REALTOR® and salesperson with Groupe Sutton – Centre-Ouest Inc., believes access to the right information empowers people. For more than a decade, he’s listened, shared information and connected residents with support.
<iframe width="100%" height="425" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/DjAbBSC_Z9g?si=VQPPh1GGO6B7sfNq" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>His connection to the organization began in 2013 while he was knocking on doors during a political campaign. At one apartment, a cockroach crawled across the doorframe at eye level. Erik was startled. The tenant didn’t react—she was used to it. The moment showed him how people can become accustomed to conditions no one should have to accept but do, when they don’t know their rights or where to turn. Two years later, Erik joined Project Genesis as a volunteer.
“I figured I could maybe make a difference in some of these people’s lives by knocking on doors and letting them know that there’s an organization in the neighbourhood that has their back if they need it,” said Hamon.
Côte-des-Neiges is one of Canada’s most diverse neighbourhoods, home to more than 100,000 people from over 100 communities and language groups. Nearly 80% of residents rent their homes, and many newcomers are learning how local housing and government systems work. Project Genesis helps them understand their options, access support and know they don’t have to figure everything out alone.
For nearly 50 years, Project Genesis has offered free, confidential help with housing and income concerns, from repairs and eviction notices to pensions, social assistance and family benefits.
In 2015, Erik joined the outreach team, knocking on thousands of doors in the neighbourhood. When residents answered, he listened to their concerns about housing, income and access to services. Sometimes, he could provide guidance at the door. Other times, he referred them to the Project Genesis storefront for legal information, advocacy and referrals, bridging the distance between residents and help available just blocks away. The storefront, in turn, could send Erik and other members of the outreach team to meet concerned residents and their neighbours.
“His job was to keep his finger on the pulse of what’s happening, what the problems and concerns of people in the neighborhood were,” said Gary Saxe, executive director of Project Genesis.. “That’s how he started, and from there he just rose through the ranks.”
In 2022, Erik joined the Board of Directors, becoming president the following year. His outreach and community organizing experience informs how he works to ensure staff, volunteers and board members have a voice in the organization’s decisions.
“People feel a part of the entire decision-making process and what we do, and he’s added a lot to that,” said Gary.
As president, Erik supports the organization’s advocacy for stronger income supports and more social and community housing by speaking at rallies and working with municipal and provincial staff and councillors on long-term solutions to the housing crisis.
“They explain what they’ve heard on the ground to the representatives they have on council, and that’s us,” said Sonny Moroz, city councillor for the Snowdon district. “Without it in Côte-des-Neiges, the city council would probably lack a little bit of direction on affordability and poverty issues.”
While he’s given a lot of himself to the organization, volunteering with Project Genesis has also helped shape how Erik approaches his real estate career.
“It’s made me a lot more sensitive to the needs of tenants,” said Hamon. “I won’t hesitate to inform them that they have rights.”
What began with conversations at apartment doors has become more than a decade of service shaped by listening and collaboration. At the heart of his work is a commitment to sharing information, connecting people with support and empowering them with knowledge.
“Not much gets done without the support of like-minded people working together towards a common goal,” said Hamon. “It’s a group effort.”
REALTORS Care® Spotlight shares stories of how featured nominees of the Canadian REALTORS Care® Award are working to make their communities a better place for all.
