New homeless count in 2024 says Quebec government at summit of homelessness

A new homeless count will be held in 2024. The announcement was made by Lionel Carmant, Quebec’s Social Services Minister, at the summit on homelessness organized by the Union des municipalités du Québec on Friday.

“It was my original intention to do it every two years. I wanted to do one (count) in 2020, but the pandemic changed that (…) I would like us to be able to decide today on the pace at which these counts should be carried out thereafter,” Minister Carmant said in his speech.

The mayor of Quebec City, Bruno Marchand, who also attended the summit, said he would like to see an annual count, and wants the results to be released soon.

“I’m waiting for the minister to explain why in 2024. And, if it’s in 2024, we shouldn’t receive the results 12 months later,” said Marchand.

The last count was conducted on October 11, 2022, but the results were only unveiled this week. They showed that the number of people experiencing homelessness in Quebec has increased by 44 per cent compared to 2018, the year of the previous count.

“If we don’t have an annual count, how do we know that the actions we’re taking are producing the desired results?” added Marchand.

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Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante said she welcomed the Minister’s proposal, but points out that there are pressing needs elsewhere. “I think it’s essential to have data. It allows us, the decision-makers, to make informed decisions, but at the same time, the current needs in Montreal is housing,” she insisted.

To gather the data, the Institut national de santé publique du Québec (INSPQ) deployed hundreds of outreach workers, street workers and over 1,000 volunteers during the night of October 11, 2022 in 13 regions of Quebec.

The INSPQ report published Wednesday identifies the shortage of affordable housing as one of the causes of the increase in homelessness. The report states that having been “evicted from one’s dwelling, whether for non-payment of rent, repossession or any other reason” is a factor that contributes to the precarious situation of some people at risk of homelessness. In fact, eviction is the main reason given for losing one’s home.”

Minister Carmant was asked about the absence of his colleague at the summit, the Minister of Housing, France-Élaine Duranceau. “I don’t manage her agenda. (…) The signal is that the government is present. I represent the government and we’re going to move forward,” he said.

Municipalities have been calling for more resources from the Quebec government to deal with the rise in homelessness. Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante is asking for the construction of 2,000 housing units annually, starting in 2023.

Minister Carmant, announced on Thursday that all winter shelter projects submitted by cities have been accepted.

He said the $20 million initiative, including $15.5 million in new money, will benefit all regions.

Organizations have already responded saying that the $20 million will not be enough to curb this crisis fueled by drug addiction, soaring inflation, exorbitant rent prices and a shortage of affordable rental housing.

The Municipal Summit on Homelessness brings together nearly 400 players involved in preventing and combating homelessness, including government, institutional and community organizations. It provides an opportunity to discuss the realities of homelessness and the actions to be taken.

– With files from the Canadian Press