In an interview for 24 Heures, Dans la rue Executive Director Cécile Arbaud indicated how alarming the impacts of the housing crisis are on youth experiencing housing insecurity and homelessness. The demand for our services continues to grow, but the available solutions to house this segment of the population are scarce.
A growing need for support
“Our shelter is full. Our Day Centre is overflowing,” said Arbaud. Since the spring, Dans la rue has welcomed an average of 145 youth per day, up sharply from pre-pandemic levels. Unfortunately, their determination to become more self-sufficient is thwarted by the lack of affordable housing solutions in line with their needs.
Multiple obstacles
The stigma around housing insecurity is one of the main challenges emphasized by Arbaud: many landlords are hesitant to rent to youth who have experienced homelessness or who are coming out of the youth protection system. This, along with high rent prices, which greatly exceed any available social assistance, makes the transition toward a more stable living situation even more complicated.
Taking action to stop chronic homelessness before it starts
Statistics show that half of the youth served by Dans la rue have been through the youth protection system to one degree or another. Once they age out of the system, they are at risk of falling into chronic homelessness. In the article, Arbaud stressed that concrete solutions, such as support programs for 18-to-25-year-olds who have been in care, are needed to help put them on a path toward an independent future.
