Ékip Jeunesse, a Montreal‑based nonprofit that works with young adults leaving the youth protection system, has raised an alarm about a growing wave of homelessness among its clients. The organization reports that more of the individuals who age out of provincial care are ending up on the streets, prompting a call for expanded housing resources.
In Quebec, the youth protection system provides supervision and support to children until they reach the age of majority. Once they turn adult, the program ends, and many are left without a stable place to live or access to continued services. Ékip Jeunesse says this transition often translates into immediate housing insecurity, with some young adults resorting to sleeping outdoors or in temporary shelters.
The nonprofit’s staff say the lack of a coordinated exit strategy compounds the problem. Without a guaranteed transition plan, former wards must navigate a housing market that offers limited affordable options, while also managing the challenges of independent adulthood. The organization stresses that the current gap in support leaves a vulnerable population exposed to the risks associated with street homelessness, including health concerns and reduced opportunities for education or employment.
Ékip Jeunesse is urging municipal and provincial authorities to develop dedicated housing pathways for youth protection graduates. The group recommends that policy makers allocate resources for transitional housing, provide case management that continues beyond the age of majority, and create partnerships with landlords willing to accept young adults transitioning out of care. By strengthening these supports, the organization believes it can reduce the number of young people forced onto the streets.
The warning comes as the province reviews broader social‑service reforms, and Ékip Jeunesse hopes its message will influence the development of more comprehensive solutions for the region’s most at‑risk youth.