Quebec unveils policy on homelessness

The province unveiled its long-awaited policy on poverty and homelessness Thursday in Montreal, and organizations that help the homeless are backing the plan to tackle the problem.

The minister responsible for the document,VroniqueHivon, said it's a preview to a comprehensive plan to not only tackle poverty, but eliminate it.

The plan doesn't outline any specific measures it's not meant to.

The action plan is coming, so this is just a preview, saidHivon, Quebecs Junior Minister for Social Services.
The document outlines priority areas that include housing, health and income.It also suggests bringing services to the homeless, and facilitating alternative job training programs.

Hivonsaid some of the broad ideas in the plan may seem obvious, but theyre finally part of an action plan.
Maybe it was obvious, but it wasn't done ... [The plans a way] to say, OK, it's enough. We can say this and that, but now we're going to do it.

Hivonsaid the government will work on implementing the policy in a few months.

In thePQsproposed budget unveiled last week, the government announced that Quebec will invest 46 million dollars in housing for the homeless and spend 6 million this year on services.

The budget also includes 3,250 new social housing units -- 500 for the homeless -- doubling the current number.

Community groups hopeful

PierreGaudreauofRAPSIMa coalition group of about 100 community organizations that help the homelesssays the funds so far are insufficient, but adds that money isn't everything.

If we put some money in the hospital system toward community groups to have adapted services for health there sometimes that will cost less money, saidGaudreau, president ofRAPSIM.

Montreals Old Brewery Missions Director General, MatthewPearce, says it's difficult to say how far the money would go because no one knows exactly how many homeless people there are in Montreal.

However,Pearcesays an official count is in the works.

"That count is going to be the real launch of some changes to homelessness," he said, adding that will make it easier to get the most out of any new funding.