Around 150 people took part in the first edition of the Night of the Homeless in Roberval on Friday evening.
Similar events took place simultaneously in Alma and Chicoutimi.
At this first meeting in Roberval, several elected officials and social workers were on site. The aim of this event was to raise awareness and inform the population about the homelessness that is becoming increasingly visible in this Lac-Saint-Jean city.
A walk and activities were also on the program.
The CAQ MP for Roberval, Nancy Guillemette, stressed that homelessness could occur at any time.
We must remember that everyone who is here is just one step away from homelessness. Nobody is safe from this. Having worked in the mental health field for a long time, we believe that these are people who have mental health issues, but not necessarily
explained Nancy Guillemette.
The mayor of Roberval, Serge Bergeron, is pleased that a solution was announced earlier this week to set up a shelter for homeless people in his city and in Alma by the winter and hopes that the government will release more funds for this Project.
Of course, we expect other government subsidies so that it will take longer than a year, since it takes a long time to achieve the goal of social reintegration of certain homeless people.
the mayor recalled, adding that the number of homeless people in his community had doubled in two years.
According to the Ministry of Health and Social Services (MSSS), 231 people were visibly homeless in Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean on the evening of October 11, 2022.
With information from Beatrice Rooney
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