We can’t afford to be surprised anymore. This is a crisis.
Published on November 11, 2025
At Chez Doris, what we are seeing every day is not an exception or a temporary shift. It is a growing and urgent reality. The visible homelessness of women has risen from 18% to 30%. And that number doesn’t tell the full story. Many women experiencing instability remain unseen, navigating precarious situations out of sight. The risks they face are rising. These are women who have cared for others their entire lives. Some are mothers who have stretched themselves thin to hold families together. Now, they are finding themselves without a safety net.
When a mother loses her stability, the consequences are felt for generations.
Behind these women, there are often children. When a mother falls into deep precarity or becomes unhoused, entire families are destabilized. Children lose their sense of safety, stability, and direction. The economic burden increasingly falls on single mothers, who juggle caregiving responsibilities while earning among the lowest incomes.
We’ve seen these women walk through our doors with courage. We’ve seen their distress, their isolation, and their urgent need for a safety net. And we’ve seen what support can do: a hot meal, a bed, personalized guidance, and a listening ear—available 365 days a year. These simple acts save lives.
But real change takes all of us
Let’s roll up our sleeves and support frontline organizations like Chez Doris. Let’s finally acknowledge that women’s needs are different—and demand tailored solutions. We need responses designed for women, with women.
What we’re witnessing today is hard to bear. The cost of living is exploding, resources are stagnating, and women are paying the highest price. It’s time to act. It’s time to invest where the needs are most urgent.
What we’re doing about it—starting now
To improve our support for women, we’re launching several key initiatives:
Once again this year, we’ll offer a 24/7 warming station as a temporary refuge to women in crisis, especially during the coldest months. No woman should have to choose between freezing temperatures and personal danger.
We’re launching a two-part awareness campaign:
Imagine Living There – to raise public awareness about the real risks to women living on the street.
In chorus for hope – a musical initiative led by multidisciplinary artist Sébastien Dhavernas, who has taken meaningful action by lending his voice and public platform to the cause.
What we need now is clear and targeted action.
We’re issuing a clear call to action, grounded in the belief that prevention starts with strategic investment:
More women-only spaces that are safe and trauma-informed
Housing designed specifically for mothers and children
Funding that supports women directly, not only buildings
Shelter access criteria that meet women where they are
Supporting women today means supporting the futures of their children and our communities. This is how we prevent the fall before it happens.
At Chez Doris, we will continue to welcome, care, and rebuild alongside women. But real, lasting change requires collective commitment. Together, we can ensure that every woman has the chance to regain her footing.
