Urgent Call for Funding to Combat Homelessness in Quebec

URGENT UPDATE: Québec Solidaire (QS) is demanding immediate action from François Legault’s government to renew funding for the crucial Interdepartmental Action Plan on Homelessness (PAII), set to expire on March 31, 2025. This call comes as the province grapples with a severe homelessness crisis, particularly pressing as winter conditions worsen.

Guillaume Cliche-Rivard, QS’s spokesperson on homelessness, expressed frustration over the lack of progress. “How is it that these funds have not yet been renewed and that uncertainty still looms at the height of winter and the crisis?” he stated in a news release issued Sunday. His remarks underscore the urgency of the situation as freezing temperatures threaten vulnerable populations.

The Réseau SOLIDARITÉ Itinérance du Québec (RSIQ) also voiced concerns in a press release on November 13, highlighting the positive impact of the PAII since its inception in 2021. The coalition emphasized that the program has enabled organizations to implement vital measures to prevent and combat homelessness.

Boromir Vallée Dore, executive director of RSIQ, directly appealed to Social Services Minister Sonia Bélanger to renew the PAII in the upcoming economic update for 2025. However, this request was denied. “Waiting for the spring 2026 budget to renew the PAII means choosing to amplify the homelessness crisis,” he warned. “Between the budget announcement and the arrival of funds on the ground, lives are at stake.”

Tragically, the urgency of this funding call is underscored by the alarming statistic that 108 people died while homeless in Quebec in 2024. Cliche-Rivard articulated the dire consequences of further delays, stating, “We cannot let 2025 follow the same path. Every ministerial postponement risks costing human lives, unfortunately.”

In response to the ongoing crisis, the RSIQ has proposed a 30 percent increase in investment by 2027, assuring that these additional funds would significantly curb the growth of homelessness across Quebec. The community is rallying for swift action to avert further tragedies as winter’s grip tightens.

As the deadline approaches, all eyes are on the Legault government to act decisively. The community is urging immediate funding renewal to protect vulnerable individuals and ensure that no more lives are lost.

Stay tuned for updates on this developing story as Quebec faces a critical juncture in its fight against homelessness.