Homelessness in Quebec up 44 per cent since 2018
The number of people experiencing homelessness in Quebec has increased by 44 per cent compared to 2018, according to a report from Quebec's public health institute (INSPQ) commissioned by the Ministry of Health and Social Services.
“The comparison between the exercises conducted on April 24, 2018, and October 11, 2022, estimated that the magnitude of the increase in visible homelessness was 44%,” the report states.
It also states that homelessness has increased in all regions of Quebec but in different proportions.
Over 60 per cent of people experiencing homelessness live in Montreal.
CAUSES
The report points to the shortage of affordable housing and COVID-19 to explain the increase in homelessness.
The methodology has also improved compared to 2018. The Abitibi-Temiscamingue and Cote-Nord regions, as well as the municipalities of Gatineau, Trois-Rivieres, Drummondville and Saint-Jerome, have since been added to the survey.
Homelessness affects Indigenous people more strongly, particularly in Montreal and the Abitibi-Temiscamingue and Cote-Nord regions.
The report indicates that Indigenous people experiencing homelessness are particularly present in outdoor spaces and emergency housing resources and less so in transitional resources and therapy centres. Indigenous people are also more likely to have spent the entire year homeless. Indigenous people are twice as likely to report that racism is linked to losing their last home.
"Given these findings, we must ask ourselves questions about the structural, historical and social issues surrounding Indigenous homelessness and other related problems. It must be admitted that strategies to prevent both the onset of homelessness and the increasing complexity of the problems experienced are either inadequate, non-existent or ineffective," the report states.
Homelessness is also overrepresented among those who were placed with Quebec's youth protection department in the past, people with diverse sexual and gender identities, and people who have been evicted from their housing.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on Sept. 13, 2023.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'Mayday!': New details emerge after Boeing plane makes emergency landing at Mirabel airport
New details suggest that there were communication issues between the pilots of a charter flight and the control tower at Montreal's Mirabel airport when a Boeing 737 made an emergency landing on Wednesday.
Trudeau appears unwilling to expand proposed rebate, despite pressure to include seniors
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau does not appear willing to budge on his plan to send a $250 rebate to 'hardworking Canadians,' despite pressure from the opposition to give the money to seniors and people who are not able to work.
Hit man offered $100,000 to kill Montreal crime reporter covering his trial
Montreal news outlet La Presse says a hit man offered $100,000 to have one of its crime reporters assassinated.
Cucumbers sold in Ontario, other provinces recalled over possible salmonella contamination
A U.S. company is recalling cucumbers sold in Ontario and other Canadian provinces due to possible salmonella contamination.
Trudeau says no question incoming U.S. president Trump is serious on tariff threat
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says incoming U.S. president Donald Trump's threats on tariffs should be taken seriously.
Insurgents breach Syria's second-largest city Aleppo in shock offensive
Insurgents breached Syria's second-largest city Aleppo after blowing up two car bombs on Friday and were clashing with government forces on the city's western edge, according to a Syria war monitor and fighters.
Here's how thick ice needs to be to park a truck on it, according to Sask. Water Security Agency
The Saskatchewan Water Security Agency (WSA) says ice should be at least one foot (30 centimetres) thick before it's safe to drive a car or light truck on a frozen body of water.
Democratic lawmakers from Connecticut report Thanksgiving bomb threats against their homes
At least six Democratic members of Congress from Connecticut were targeted by bomb threats on their homes Thursday, the lawmakers or their offices said.
Latest updates: Tracking RSV, influenza, COVID-19 in Canada
As the country heads into the worst time of year for respiratory infections, the Canadian respiratory virus surveillance report tracks how prevalent certain viruses are each week and how the trends are changing week to week.