A new task force on homelessness has been established by the Collège des médecins du Québec (CMQ) in response to the increasing number of homeless individuals. The task force’s report, unveiled on Wednesday, proposes various solutions, including considering the care of unhoused individuals as a distinct medical activity (AMP).
In Quebec, family doctors are mandated to allocate a portion of their practice to specific medical activities (AMP), such as caring for patients in long-term care facilities (CHSLDs), handling obstetrics, or providing emergency medical services. The College is advocating for the inclusion of care for homeless populations in this list.
The homelessness think tank, formed in February, has convened six times thus far. During a day of reflection on June 8, approximately 20 stakeholders, including individuals who have firsthand experience with homelessness, were consulted.
“Be cautious of paternalism. Acknowledge your own biases and prejudices,” emphasized one stakeholder, as mentioned in the report. Another statement highlighted, “We live for today; tomorrow is uncertain—we lack a future.”
The latest count from 2025 revealed a 20% rise in the number of homeless people since 2022, with 12,077 individuals visibly homeless in Quebec, 40% of whom were located in Montreal.
Being homeless poses severe health risks. Not only can many health issues go unnoticed, but homeless individuals also encounter premature aging and significantly reduced life expectancies, ranging from 40 to 50 years compared to over 80 years for the general population.
The CMQ believes that the medical community can play a proactive role by better identifying individuals at risk of homelessness. The report suggests that physicians incorporate housing-related questions into their standard assessment questionnaire. For instance, queries like, “Does the individual have stable housing? Are they concerned about losing it?” are recommended.
Furthermore, it is proposed that emergency room triage protocols be updated to cater better to the needs of homeless individuals. Considering the prevalence of mental health and substance abuse issues among this population, establishing prioritized pathways for accessing mental health services is crucial, the report notes.
Recommendations extend to Santé Québec and the government, urging the acknowledgment of housing as a social determinant of health.
Additionally, the report calls for specialized training and community-based internships within medical education to enhance doctors’ understanding and capabilities in addressing homelessness.
Keyphrase: healthcare homelessness solutions
