Youth homelessness differs from adult homelessness in that it affects young people who are highly vulnerable and have little or no experience living independently. The challenges they face require an approach tailored to their realities.
In Canada, 40% of unhoused people experienced their first episode of homelessness before the age of 16. The reasons for this situation are multifaceted and often interrelated.
Breakdowns in family relationships, social marginalization, mental health challenges, learning difficulties and early school leaving are just a few of the factors that contribute to housing insecurity among youth.
Taking action early to prevent homelessness
For more than 10 years, Dans la rue has been helping youth achieve greater residential stability through various initiatives that promote access to housing and the development of core life skills.
Whether through financial assistance provided under the Rent Supplement Program (PSLQ), apartment starter kits, social and community housing assistance or eviction prevention services, we take concrete action to stop homelessness before it starts.
Through these and other measures, we embrace a proactive approach to keep a difficult situation from turning into a loss of housing or an episode of homelessness.
In 2025
20
youth accessed housing through the Logement Jeunesse Montréal (LJM) program.
21
people aged 16 to 30 achieved greater housing stability through the JALON program.
58
youth had access to housing through Dans la rue.
Housing: A basic human right
The Housing First for Youth (HF4Y) model that guides these initiatives is based on a simple principle: access to housing is a basic human right and should be prioritized before anything else. Stable housing is the foundation for autonomy, well-being and personal growth.
Unlike the Housing First (HF) model for adults, HF4Y recognizes that youth are still developing and need ongoing support to foster their independence, social integration and ability to achieve their goals. Developed by the Canadian Observatory on Homelessness, this approach has proven effective in helping youth remain housed and in preventing homelessness.
Given that many young people at risk of homelessness have experienced significant challenges during childhood, it is important to help them leave behind situations that keep them in a constant state of crisis. The JALON and LJM programs are founded on the belief that timely access to safe housing is essential to stabilizing their situation so they can then focus on other life goals.
“We work to get a roof over their heads, give them a positive housing experience and help them reach a point where they say, ‘I’m worth the effort.’”
— Laetitia Grenier, Operations Coordinator
Four pathways to housing stability
Dans la rue offers youth experiencing vulnerability four pathways to housing stability.
Dans la rue Housing complex
This 17-unit complex in Hochelaga-Maisonneuve offers supervised apartments to 15 young tenants and two families. Priority is given to people who need more support as they develop their independence.
With guidance from the on-site team of counsellors, tenants gradually develop the skills they need to become more self-sufficient.
They can remain in the complex for up to five years, during which they have access to a subsidy from the Office municipal d’habitation de Montréal (OMHM), which means their rent contribution is limited to 25% of their income.
“It takes a certain amount of courage to face all these challenges on your own, so we try to support them as much as possible.”
— Kris McNulty, Housing Team Lead
Logement Jeunesse Montréal
A joint initiative with Ressources Jeunesse de Saint-Laurent, Ricochet and Auberge du cœur Le Foyer, the LJM program also receives support from the OMHM.
Working closely with Dans la rue, LJM ensures that every apartment covered by the program provides safe, healthy and dignified living conditions before approval is granted.
This five-year initiative is intended for people who have a higher level of autonomy. They receive regular support at home or at Dans la rue to help them adjust to their new living environment.
JALON
Established in 2022, JALON has already tripled its service capacity since its creation. The initiative came about in response to barriers within certain housing access mechanisms that excluded people who did not hold Canadian citizenship or who wished to live with roommates.
The sole eligibility criterion for the JALON program is age. The approach developed and funded by Dans la rue seeks to reduce barriers to access and promote inclusion among 16-to-30-year-olds who are looking for housing or experiencing housing insecurity. JALON has been designed for those who have a high level of autonomy, which is why the program lasts two years.
Participants must have a reliable source of income and demonstrate sufficient mental health stability to successfully pursue their housing goals.
The subsidy initially covers 75% of the rent and gradually decreases throughout the program, reaching 25% in the final year. Similar to Dans la rue’s other housing programs, psychosocial counselling is mandatory throughout the process. Supplementary financial assistance remains available for two years after the program wraps up to reinforce the progress made and help ensure long-term residential stability.
“We don’t realize how much easier things can be when we’ve had the benefit of an education. There are people who don’t even know what kind of product to use to wash dishes. One of our youth was actually using laundry detergent… nobody ever showed him otherwise.”
— Oualid Lefkir, JALON Project Coordinator
Eviction prevention
This is a new service offered by Dans la rue, and one that is still being developed. It is intended for young people who are already living in an apartment but are at high risk of eviction and committed to stabilizing their housing situation.
Once a young person begins receiving support, Dans la rue contacts their landlord to explore possible solutions for keeping them in their apartment. In some cases, Dans la rue may cover up to three months of rent arrears while providing psychosocial support to help prevent the situation from recurring.
Tenants must agree to a minimum three-month follow-up period to address the factors that may affect their financial, emotional or personal stability.
Tailored support for lasting results
Together, these initiatives are adapted to each person’s circumstances and delivered with respect, empathy and a non-judgmental approach. Although the goal is to facilitate access to housing and support long-term stability, these programs also foster autonomy, build self-confidence and empower young people through a lasting relationship with Dans la rue’s counsellors.
The HF4Y approach also aims to strengthen support networks, meaningful connections and social participation, all of which are key to lasting stability.
“It’s never up to us to make their decisions for them. Sometimes you have to experience things for yourself and stumble a little before you understand them. That’s true for all of us. It’s part of life.”
— Oualid Lefkir, JALON Project Coordinator
Collaboration with landlords is central to the process. By encouraging dialogue and transparency, the team can help put the right conditions in place for each youth.
Throughout the journey, follow-up support is provided to help young people transition to independent living by stabilizing their income, developing healthy lifestyle and tenant habits, learning civic responsibilities and strengthening their autonomy.
Proven expertise in supporting housing stability
These initiatives build on more than 35 years of expertise working with youth experiencing vulnerability. Through a wraparound approach and a broad network of partners, Dans la rue addresses the many factors that can undermine a person’s housing journey.
The objective is to help young people develop the tools, skills and confidence they need to become more self-sufficient and create a future that reflects their hopes and aspirations.
Through all of these initiatives, we continue to pursue the mission envisioned by Pops, focusing on prevention, early intervention and housing stability so that youth have every opportunity to thrive over the long term.
“We see wins every day — and we see the difference they make.”
— Oualid Lefkir, JALON Project Coordinator
