Côte-Nord homelessness detention costs exceed $1.6 million

A study conducted by AppEco for the Union des municipalités du Québec (UMQ) reveals that the detention of homeless individuals cost public services on the Côte-Nord region more than $1.6 million in 2025.

According to the study, approximately 94 people were experiencing homelessness on the Côte-Nord in 2025. Of these, 13 individuals were incarcerated, totaling 4,815 days of detention. At an average cost of $335 per day, the total expenditure for the region reached $1,612,989. This figure does not include expenses directly borne by municipalities.

The UMQ notes that homelessness is no longer confined to major urban centers and is affecting diverse groups, including seniors, women, and Indigenous peoples. On the Côte-Nord, the number of people experiencing homelessness increased by more than 50% between 2022 and 2025. The organization highlights that a lack of supervised housing, community organization funding, and specialized mental health services complicates support in remote regions.