Preventing Homelessness

The Max Bell School of Public Policy is a partner with the Quebec Homelessness Prevention Collaborative/Collectif québécois pour la prévention de l’itinérence which was founded in 2021 by the Old Brewery Mission and McGill University. The QHPC convenes academic, community and public service organizations in Quebec, along with people with lived experience and expertise and elected officials to forge innovative public policy and legal reform recommendations. The approach is normative, human rights-based and data-driven, and is at the heart of the collaboration of the Max Bell School of Public Policy in addressed the homelessness crisis and rising housing precarity.

Max Bell’s engagement in the QHPC is led by Pearl Eliadis.

📌 New Report: Preventing Homelessness for Women Escaping Violence

On the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women (November 25), the QHPC is releasing a new report on the role of second-stage shelters in preventing homelessness among women who are victims of domestic violence.

The report shows that this type of housing is an essential lever for reducing the risks of violence, residential insecurity, and homelessness, while also highlighting their underfunding in Quebec. The findings call for full recognition of the role of second-stage shelters in public policies related to housing, homelessness prevention, and efforts to combat violence against women, as well as for accelerating their development across Quebec.

2025 Report | English

2025 rapport | français

QHPC Annual Conference

We recently held our QHPC 2025 Annual Conference: Homelessness, Housing, and the Law on October 27, 2025.

This conference brought together policymakers, researchers, and community actors to explore how legal frameworks can help prevent homelessness in Québec.

Read more about the conference and speakers here.

New Research on Legal Reform in Preventing Homelessness

Researchers at Max Bell School of Public Policy conducted an in-depth analysis of legal frameworks governing the right to adequate housing and homeless prevention across Finland, France, Germany, and the United Kingdom.

Read the Article | English

Lire l'article | français

Webinar: Housing Safety for Female Victims of Domestic Violence

On March 21, 2025, the QHPC held a webinar focused on the effectiveness of 2nd-stage housing for women victims of domestic violence as a homelessness prevention strategy. 

We welcomed speakers Pearl Eliadis and Melissa Shemirani to lead the discussion. They explored the essential role of these shelters and highlighted promising practices and approaches. This webinar built upon previously published research on 2nd stage housing. 

2023 Are We There Yet? Assessing Canada's Progress on the Road to Housing Rights

The report examines the standards used to assess progressive realization of the right to housing and reasonableness in international law, including recent decisions from the international UN Committee that oversees the Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.

2022 Law Reform Opportunities in Quebec for Women Experiencing Intimate Partner Violence Report

Based on consultations with the community, and over a year of research, the recommendations focus on two areas: the right of victims of IPV and their families to live in safety, free from violence, and the right to adequate housing.

November 22 Report | English

Max Bell Team 2025-2026

Pearl Eliadis, B.Sc., B.C.L., LL.B., B.C.L. (Oxon.) (she/her)

Pearl is an Associate Professor (professional) at the Max Bell School of Public Policy and a member of the QHPC Steering Committee. She chairs the Legal Reform Project, and co-chairs the Gender Research Stream.

Angelina Freeman

Angelina Freeman is a recent Master of Public Policy graduate from the Max Bell School of Public Policy at McGill University. She has supported with the QHPC’s work on second stage housing for women escaping violence and international legal reforms to prevent homelessness. Angelina has prior experience in international education, program management and research on competition policy, emerging technology, gender equality and global health. She holds a BA in International Studies from American University’s School of International Service.

Charlie Clark

Charlie Clark is a current Master of Public Policy student at McGill University’s Max Bell School of Public Policy. He is supporting the QHPC’s work by researching legal and policy mechanisms used to prevent homelessness across various jurisdictions. Charlie is a practising lawyer and has advised public authorities on administrative law, governance and regulatory matters. He has also worked in Indigenous cultural heritage policy. Charlie holds an LLB and a BA in International Studies from Monash University, Australia.