Amid Rising Homelessness, Longueuil Calls for Collective Action to Improve Social Coexistence
The Office de participation publique de Longueuil has unveiled the outcomes of a comprehensive public consultation process focusing on homelessness and social harmony, urging united efforts to enhance safety and the quality of life for the city’s most marginalized residents.
Released on Tuesday, the report presents 15 recommendations resulting from a participatory initiative kickstarted in March 2025 at the behest of Longueuil’s executive committee.
The primary objective was to delve deeper into the roots of insecurity and pinpoint the necessary conditions to foster a harmonious social environment, particularly amidst the escalating homelessness crisis.
Julie Caron-Malenfant, the President of the Office, stressed the crucial link between elevating the living standards and safety of the most vulnerable individuals and overall social cohesion. She emphasized that collaborative endeavors benefit not only those experiencing homelessness but also the broader community.
The recommendations are structured around four core pillars: enhancing security, bolstering services for the homeless, increasing housing options with support services for homelessness prevention, and recognizing the role of individuals experiencing homelessness in urban development plans.
The Office underscored the significance of fostering dialogue across diverse sectors, creating inclusive and respectful platforms for discourse. Commissioners actively engaged with participants in community settings to break down barriers for those less familiar with public consultations.
Innovative methods, such as using theater to stimulate conversations and an initiative facilitating written exchanges between people experiencing homelessness, housed residents, and institutional partners, were employed. Additionally, feedback was gathered through meetings held at facilities providing support for the homeless.
Caron-Malenfant highlighted the critical need for collaborative efforts, stating that addressing social coexistence and homelessness necessitates a joint approach for sustained progress rather than solely reactive measures to an escalating crisis.
In addition to the formal recommendations, the report collates approximately 160 solutions put forth by participants. The consultations, which drew 1,062 in-person and online contributions, were conducted between March and June 2025.
For those interested, the complete report and supplementary materials can be accessed on the Office de participation publique de Longueuil’s website and through the city’s library network.
Keyphrase: Longueuil homelessness solutions
