Magog outreach worker talks rising problem, potential solutions
By William Crooks
Local Journalism Initiative
The Memphremagog Lake area has witnessed a dramatic surge in homelessness interventions over the past several years, underscoring a growing crisis exacerbated by soaring housing costs and economic instability.
Community Outreach Worker Janie Lefebvre, who has been dedicated to homelessness prevention in the Magog area for seven years, offers a unique and insightful perspective on this crisis. In a July 23 interview, she explained the multifaceted nature of homelessness and the evolving challenges faced by those affected.
According to recent data provided by Lefebvre, the number of interventions has skyrocketed from 15 between April, 2016, and March, 2017, to 511 from April, 2023, to March, 2024. This represents a staggering increase of 3,307 per cent.
“Pre-pandemic, there was homelessness in Magog, but it was more hidden,” Lefebvre noted. “People were staying on friends’ couches or in unstable living conditions. Today, it’s much more visible, and we’re seeing a broader range of people impacted, from families to the elderly, and even individuals who are employed but can’t find affordable housing.”
Lefebvre highlighted that the face of homelessness has changed significantly. “I’m getting calls from women as much as men, and from people who are working yet struggling to find a place to live because of the exorbitant rent prices,” she said. According to Lefebvre, in Magog, the average rent for an apartment has surged to $1,500, a rate previously associated with luxury condominiums.
The economic strain is evident in the increasing demand for emergency and transitional housing. Lefebvre shared that the community’s resource centre, which offers temporary housing for both men and women, is perpetually full. “We have six beds right now, and they are always occupied. The demand is incredibly high.”
