Province invests $10M to help community groups respond to rising homelessness across Quebec

A person experiences homelessness in Montreal. (Paul Chiasson/The Canadian Press)

The Quebec government will allocate $10 million over the next two years to help local organizations fight increasing homelessness and improve access to social assistance.

Quebec’s Social Solidarity and Community Action Minister, Chantal Rouleau, made the announcement on Monday at the East Summit. She was joined by Lionel Carmant, the minister responsible for social services.

According to a news release, Centraide of Greater Montreal will receive $8.5 million for its emergency homelessness fund and the organization will also contribute an additional $990,000. The City of Montreal will also receive $1.5 million, along with its own contribution of $166,666.

Centraide will then distribute the funds to various community organizations that have seen an increase in demand in the Montreal area and elsewhere in Quebec.

The government explained that the funding will help organizations improve reception conditions, enhance on-the-ground outreach, support access to social assistance and acquire essential goods.

“Homelessness is a complex issue that requires us to work together with various partners. This financial support, which the sector has called for, will give frontline resources the means to take real action to help people get off the streets,” Rouleau said.

“I’m also proud of the measures in place to facilitate access to social assistance—a key tool in helping people get back on track towards full independence.”

The City of Montreal will use the funding to support organizations working on different homelessness-related initiatives, including the development of tools and training, social coexistence, and diverting homeless individuals from the justice system.

The government noted that measures are being implemented to simplify access to social assistance programs for people experiencing homelessness, with the goal of reducing the risk of individuals abandoning the process and ensuring that they receive the support they need.

Some of the plans include providing support and streamlining the application process.

“The rise in homelessness means that the organizations working with this population need the resources to adapt to growing needs, both in Montreal and across Quebec,” Carmant said.

“Thanks to the support announced by Minister Chantal Rouleau, those on the front lines will have more tools to respond more effectively to the needs of vulnerable people.”