Homelessness in Quebec rises to 12,000, a new count shows

Jude Osmond

The Quebec Government received results from its homelessness count, conducted in April 2025. The results showed 12,077 visible homeless residents across 15 regions of Quebec. The last count, conducted in 2022 and covering 13 regions, showed 10,204 visible homeless individuals.

Homelessness in Quebec is up

Eighty per cent of the count were in temporary places, including shelters and emergency housing. Sixteen per cent were outside on the streets. The count was conducted with the help of volunteers, community workers and outreach workers. Homelessness in the outdoors has increased by an average of 10% every year.

“It is not normal that people are living in tents or sleeping on park benches. It’s a failure of society, and it is an unimaginable sadness,” said Mayor Maude Marquis-Bissonnette.

What are the next steps?

Additional funding to address homelessness among residents of Quebec was announced in the last budget to help people facing eviction, mental health among the homeless and addiction rehabilitation programs.

Bissonnette mentioned that efforts to provide affordable housing and services are having a positive impact, that they are working collectively to get a roof over everyone's head.

A more detailed portrait of the count, focusing on the profile of people experiencing homelessness, is coming out in the fall 2026.