On February 10, 2026, the Observatoire québécois des inégalités highlighted the growing inequalities in housing affordability among people aged 65 and over, based on internal research and data from the 2021 population census.
As people age, they become more vulnerable to unaffordable housing. Approximately 20.1% of seniors aged 65 and over live in housing that exceeds what they can afford based on their retirement income.
According to the Observatoire, housing is unaffordable for more than half of
households composed of people aged 65 and over who fall within the lowest 20% income bracket. The issue is even more pronounced among seniors living alone (33.2%) compared to those living as a couple (6.5%).
It is therefore not surprising that, for many, retirement can become synonymous with homelessness. Based on a count conducted on the night of October 11–12, 2022, it is estimated that 6.5% of people experiencing visible homelessness were aged 65 and over, and 29% were between 50 and 64 years old.
With the support of its donors, Toit à Moi is dedicated to housing individuals aged 55 and over, so they can age with safety, stability, and dignity.
(Source: MSSS, 2023 – Count of people experiencing homelessness in Quebec)
https://observatoiredesinegalites.com/les-personnes-ainees-ne-sont-pas-a-labri-de-la-crise-du-logement
Hundreds of thousands of Quebecers have experienced homelessness or eviction, according to
a recent report from the Institut de la statistique du Québec (ISQ).
Based on data collected between 2017 and 2022, in 9% of households, the reference person has experienced at least one period of homelessness in their lifetime. The most commonly cited causes are relationship or interpersonal issues (45%) and financial difficulties (36%).
In addition, approximately 5% of households in the province have been forced to move out of a rental unit. The main reason for eviction is a landlord reclaiming the property for personal use, cited in 40% of cases.
In Quebec, this represents more than 337,000 people who have experienced homelessness and approximately 187,000 households that have faced the consequences of a forced move.
Experiencing hardship and housing instability can happen to anyone. That’s why the Toit à Moi community is so important—to support those who find themselves without a home.
💛 Thank you for being part of this community.
One in Five Renters Struggles to Pay Their Rent
One in five renters in Quebec is struggling to pay their rent, according to a recent Léger survey commissioned by the organization Vivre en Ville.
Across Québec, this represents more than 700,000 people.
💬 “These figures are a wake-up call… this is no longer an isolated crisis; it is a social emergency hitting Québec head-on,” says Christian Savard, Executive Director of Vivre en Ville.
While the study shows that workers aged 35–54 are themselves facing difficulties paying rent, a significant number of people aged 55 and over report being in the same situation. This struggle to make ends meet is a key indicator of risks related to poverty, rising housing costs, and the loss of independence that can lead to homelessness.
With the support of its donors, Toit à Moi is working to combat poverty by making more housing affordable, faster so people can live and age in safety and dignity. 🏠