On September 15, 2023, we were privileged to represent the ICPC in the Municipal Summit on Homelessness organized by the Union des municipalités du Québec (UMQ), a member of the ICPC.   

Close to 400 leading representatives involved in the prevention and eradication of homelessness, including many of the region’s mayors and local representatives, gathered to put forward creative ideas on how to work together effectively to solve the problems associated with the situation of people living on the streets.    

In addition to funding needs, the importance of implementing innovative and sustainable solutions in Quebec, inspired on projects that have already proved effective internationally, such as the “Housing First” project in Finland, which has reduced homelessness by more than 50%, was highlighted.    

The management of urban spaces with the purpose of providing and developing resources and assistance programmes that are better adapted to meet the challenges posed by homelessness, particularly in terms of everyone’s sense of safety, is first and foremost a collaborative effort.