In an unprecedented regional effort, the Laurentians have joined the rest of Quebec in conducting a sweeping survey to better understand homelessness in their communities.
From April 14 to April 22, the Centre intégré de santé et de services sociaux (CISSS) des Laurentides led “Everyone Counts 2025,” a massive operation aimed at gathering data on the region’s homeless population. Mirroring similar efforts province-wide, the initiative seeks to shed light on the evolving realities of homelessness—and ultimately shape services that are more attuned to the needs of those living without stable shelter.
In the Laurentians, the operation unfolded through a series of five welcoming events staged in different communities, including Saint-Eustache, Saint-Jérôme, Sainte-Agathe-des-Monts, and Mont-Laurier. At these hubs, participants were offered warm meals and drinks, creating safe, accessible spaces where they could be counted and heard.
These “attractive events” were just one piece of a broader effort that also included neighborhood outreach, targeted site visits, and collaborations with local organizations. By combining multiple strategies, the CISSS des Laurentides worked to capture the most accurate snapshot possible of visible homelessness over a single night—an essential metric for understanding the depth and scope of the crisis.
Such an undertaking required enormous manpower. Nearly 75 volunteers and more than 25 staff members from the CISSS itself lent their time and energy to the project. Partnerships with community organizations, municipalities, and service agencies were also crucial in ensuring the operation’s success.
Julie Delaney, President and CEO of the CISSS des Laurentides, expressed heartfelt gratitude to everyone who made the initiative possible.
“It was together, with compassion and solidarity, that we succeeded in carrying out this critical exercise,” Delaney said. “I sincerely thank the organizing committee for their outstanding work, our dedicated employees who rallied to the cause, the volunteers who gave their time so generously, and our partners from every sector. Each contribution made a real difference.”
The data gathered through “Everyone Counts 2025” will now be analyzed and compiled. Official results are expected to be released by Quebec’s Ministry of Health and Social Services over the coming months.
Meanwhile, efforts to support individuals experiencing homelessness continue. To learn more about the initiatives in place across the Laurentians or to access available resources, residents are encouraged to visit the “Homelessness” section of the santelaurentides.gouv.qc.ca website.
