Quebec has seen a sharp rise in visible homelessness in recent years. During the count on 11 October 2022, the total number of people experiencing visible homelessness was estimated at 10,000, representing a 44% increase compared with 24 April 2018. On April 15 2025, 12,077 people were counted as being homeless, corresponding to a 20% increase compared to 2022. Homelessness poses serious challenges. In addition to the human suffering it causes, it is associated with significantly higher mortality rates. This mortality is largely attributable to high rates of smoking, alcoholism and drug addiction, as well as limited access to healthcare. 

This report adopts two main complementary approaches: (1) literature reviews and (2) an estimate of the costs associated with homelessness in Quebec in 2022–2023, based on administrative data and certain data drawn from the 2018 and 2022 counts.

The literature review reveals that rent prices are a significant structural predictor of homelessness. The unemployment rate, by contrast, yields much less conclusive results. ‘Housing First’ programmes, which provide permanent housing accompanied by psychosocial support and without preconditions, significantly reduce the costs associated with the intensive use of public services, particularly in the health sector. Permanent housing appears to be preferable to transitional housing. As for the link between social assistance benefits and homelessness, the evidence is limited, but does not support the idea that more generous benefits encourage homelessness.

The annual economic costs associated with people experiencing homelessness for the year 2022–2023 are conservatively estimated at $782 million, of which $445 million comes from expenditure by community organisations serving people experiencing homelessness, divided between emergency accommodation, meals and psychosocial support.