Case Study
Portrait and Impact Analysis of Homelessness Prevention and Response Programs on Quebec Municipalities
Year:
2023
Sector:
Social
Client:
UMQ
The Mandate
Client Need
Faced with the complex and multifaceted reality of homelessness, the Union des municipalités du Québec (UMQ) set out to gain a deeper, 360-degree understanding of both persons experiencing homelessness (PEH) and the many stakeholders involved—governments, the health network, community organisations, and beyond. Their goal: to map out each actor’s role, evaluate current programs, and paint a clear picture of the social and economic costs tied to homelessness.
Our Work
Our Stategic Approach
We supported the project across four key phases:
Understanding the Landscape
We conducted a sociopolitical analysis to unpack the different forms of homelessness, identify key determinants, examine up-to-date demographic data from point-in-time counts, and explore international best practices in addressing homelessness.
Voices from the Front Lines
We held consultations with cities, not-for-profit organisations, and leading academic experts to gather first-hand insights and deepen our understanding of the challenges and solutions on the ground.
Following the Money
We reviewed the literature and available data to assess the true costs of homelessness—covering housing, healthcare, justice, and social services—and evaluated the effectiveness of existing programs.
Projecting the Future
We used a multi-state lifetable model to estimate the number of people experiencing homelessness and the broader societal costs. We also tested promising scenarios—such as Finland’s “Housing First” strategy and expanded rent support—to evaluate their potential impact in Quebec.
The Result
Conclusion
Recommendations and Impact:
Our study delivered a clear call to action: boost housing support and prevention funding from both provincial and federal levels, foster stronger collaboration among key stakeholders, and invest in better data and tracking tools to monitor progress. These recommendations were unveiled at the 2023 UMQ Homelessness Summit, where they sparked real momentum—culminating in new support measures announced shortly after by the Minister responsible for Social Services. It’s a powerful example of research driving policy change.
The Cost of Inaction
A single person experiencing homelessness costs society between $65,000 and $72,500 per year, depending on their housing situation. With growing numbers of PEH, this adds up to more than $500 million annually—and the figure is only rising.
The Housing First Scenario
By scaling up Housing First programs, we can make a real impact. In just five years, the number of people experiencing homelessness drops by 13% compared to the status quo, while cumulative costs fall by 5%—proving that compassionate policy can also be cost-effective.
Investing in Prevention
A bold prevention-first approach delivers a dramatic 24% reduction in homelessness. However, it comes with a steep upfront investment—driving an 86% increase in total program costs. It’s a choice between short-term spending and long-term societal savings.
