On Thursday September 14, on the eve of the municipal summit on homelessness in Quebec, the Union of Municipalities of Quebec (UMQ) presented the results of a study on the state situation and impact assessment carried out by the company AppEco for the UMQ programs Preventing and combating homelessness in Quebec on municipalities.
Results
According to the study, the total annual cost of a homeless person living on the streets in Quebec is $72,521.
In addition, the study estimates that maintaining the status quo scenario will cost municipalities $450 million by 2027.
Finally, the study estimates that a scenario combining control and prevention measures would reduce the number of homeless people by 35%.
“Across Quebec, municipal elected officials are on the front lines,” said Martin Damphousse, president of the UMQ and mayor of Varennes, in a press release. Municipalities have been sounding the alarm for months, trying to meet the needs of their communities. The study shows us that, beyond the costs, it is necessary to invest massively in the prevention and reduction of homelessness in order to concretely reduce homelessness, for the benefit of the people living in this situation, but also of society. We must ensure that homelessness is a collective priority, a priority in redefining the Quebec-municipal partnership.”
Community summit
The community summit on homelessness on September 15, moderated by Isabelle Craig, aimed to bring together almost 400 stakeholders, particularly state, institutional and community actors, who play a role in preventing and combating homelessness.
It provided an opportunity to discuss the reality of homelessness as well as the priority and innovative actions, all from a community and inclusive perspective. (CP/IJL)