Ending the homelessness crisis: The view from the field

Background and diagnosis

Homelessness in Quebec has reached a breaking point. In April 2025, at least 12,077 people were visibly experiencing homelessness, a 20% increase since 2022. While Montreal accounts for 42% of visible homelessness, every region is now affected. The main causes include the housing crisis, evictions, job loss, insufficient income, mental health challenges and substance use issues.

Existing resources are overwhelmed. Encampments are spreading, and increasing numbers of people are seeking shelter in hospital emergency rooms and public transit facilities. Community organizations lack stable, mission-based funding, and police are increasingly called upon to fill gaps they were never designed to address.

The cost of inaction is staggering: according to the Union des municipalités du Québec (2023), a person experiencing homelessness cost society $72,500 per year, compared with $65,000 for a person in supported housing.

Homelessness must become a national priority. This requires profound change: new cross-cutting governance, massive investment in prevention, a dramatic expansion of non‑market housing and stable funding for frontline organizations.

Our proposals

1. Prevent Homelessness

Rent banks with social support – Create and fund an emergency loan and grant program for tenants facing temporary financial hardship, paired with supportive housing services.
Mandatory rent registry – Transform the voluntary registry into a mandatory public tool to curb speculation and preserve affordable rents.
Enshrine the right to housing in the Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms – Set public policies on homelessness on a clear legal footing.

2. Long-term Rehousing - Massively Expand Non-Market Housing

Non‑market housing development plan – Increase the share of non-market housing to 20% of the rental housing stock (10,000 new units per year through 2040).
Massive rent supplement expansion – Grow the rent supplement program from 1,700 to 10,000 units over five years.
Long-term funding for supportive housing services – Increase funding to $4,000 per person housed and extend eligibility to housing management organizations.

3. Fund and Modernize the Homelessness Response

Innovation fund for clients with complex needs – Support pilot projects for people with substance use issues, mental health challenges and co‑occurring conditions.
Coordinated access systems – Harmonize access to resources across regions.
Municipal fund for encampment management – Create a fund to finance cross-sectoral plans to transition people from encampments into housing.
Community Organization Support Program (PSOC) – Update funding formulas to reflect organizations' evolving missions.

4. Reform Governance and Legal Frameworks

Law on prevention and rehousing – Clarify provincial and municipal responsibilities to ensure every individual receives timely, appropriate support.

Administrative Housing Tribunal reform – Require homelessness risk assessments prior to any eviction.

Indigenous strategy – Provide dedicated funding with community-led governance.

Conclusion

The Old Brewery Mission calls for a fundamental overhaul of the fight against homelessness: recognize the right to housing and prioritize prevention, invest heavily in non-market housing, increase funding and develop integrated health and housing services. These measures require clear, cross-sectoral governance across government departments, municipalities and organizations.

Objective

To prevent, reduce and ultimately end homelessness in Quebec—by moving from a reactive emergency model to a proactive, long-term, dignity‑centred strategy.