MONTRÉAL, May 10, 2024
/CNW/ - The governments of Canada and Quebec, in collaboration with
Mission Unitaînés and the City of Montréal, have
announced the construction of a 100-unit social and affordable
housing building for independent seniors over the next
two years. The funding for these units stems from the recent
Canada–Quebec Agreement under the Housing Accelerator Fund
(HAF).
The six-storey building to be constructed in Montréal's borough
of Mercier-Hochelaga-Maisonneuve represents a government investment
of $23.5 million, in addition to
a contribution from the City of Montréal, which is providing
the land and a financial contribution. A philanthropic donation by
Luc Maurice, Chair of the Board of Directors of
Mission Unitaînés, will round out the funding package. The
work should be finished by spring 2026. Once construction is
finished, the Office municipal d'habitation de Montréal will
manage and maintain the building using a $500,000 contingency fund provided by
Mission Unitaînés. It will also select the building's
residents.
The building will include 100 units, with rents varying
based on unit size. Equipped with two elevators, sprinklers and a
scooter parking area, it will also include a multi-purpose common
room, an outdoor patio and landscaping to foster socialization
among residents. The monthly rent payment will be set at about
$595 for a studio apartment and
$900 for a two-bedroom unit.
The Honourable Soraya Martinez Ferrada, Minister of Tourism and
Minister Responsible for the Economic Development Agency of
Canada for the Regions of
Quebec and Member of Parliament
for Hochelaga, and Karine
Boivin-Roy, Government Assistant for the Minister of
Employment and the Minister Responsible for the Metropolis and the
Montréal Region and Member of the National Assembly for
Anjou–Louis-Riel, on behalf of France-Élaine Duranceau, Quebec Minister Responsible for Housing, made
the announcement. Joining them were Benoit
Dorais, City of Montréal's Executive Committee Vice-Chair,
head of Housing, Real Estate Strategy and Legal Affairs, and
Caroline Sauriol, President and CEO
of Mission Unitaînés.
Innovative multi-party
partnership
A total investment of $235 million by the federal and
provincial governments will fund the construction of ten 100-unit
buildings in ten cities across Quebec, including Montréal.
The government funding is tied to the $900 million in
federal funding provided to Quebec
through the Canada–Quebec agreement under the Housing Accelerator
Fund and the new $900 million in funding announced by
Quebec in its fall 2023
economic update.
The municipality involved in a construction project is providing
a significant contribution, either in kind or in the form of a
grant. This includes the transfer of land ready to build on, a
three-year tax holiday starting on the transfer date of the land
with the building, a building permit (or equivalent grants) and
utility connections.
The charitable organization Mission Unitaînés will be
responsible for designing and constructing the ten buildings.
At completion, the organization will provide the municipality, or a
non-profit organization designated by the municipality—in
Montréal's case, the Office municipal d'habitation
de Montréal—with a building ready for commissioning for a
nominal fee and no mortgage. In addition, each building will have a
$500,000 reserve fund from a
philanthropic donation by Luc
Maurice. Other partners will complement the funding with
philanthropic contributions to enhance the residents' quality of
life.
Thanks in particular to economies of scale and the partners'
expertise, this new model has the advantage of creating
1,000 units in several Quebec
regions at a lower cost than the units the Société d'habitation
du Québec (SHQ) is currently developing. It also ensures that
the buildings will be debt-free.
Quotes:
"The implementation of the Housing Accelerator Fund in
Quebec paves the way for
innovative solutions. The partnership between
Mission Unitaînés and the municipalities, supported by funding
from the governments of Canada and
Quebec, will allow more housing
units to be built, more rapidly, to provide appropriate housing to
thousands of low- and moderate-income seniors."
The Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Housing,
Infrastructure and Communities
"I've often said that we need to innovate to build more and
better housing, especially given the current housing crisis. This
collaboration with Mission Unitaînés is proof that our government
is taking concrete action, together with our federal partner and
the municipalities, to better house seniors in Quebec. I'm excited by this project, which
mobilizes stakeholder expertise to very quickly build quality
affordable housing. We are determined to deliver results through
this partnership."
France-Élaine Duranceau,
Quebec Minister Responsible for
Housing
"Through partnership projects like this one with Mission
Unitaînés, we are innovating to improve the life of our
communities. With the construction of 100 new units in
Montréal, we are providing hundreds of seniors with a safe,
welcoming and affordable place to call home where they can age
better. Together, we're building a future where everyone can
thrive. Our commitment to Quebecers is demonstrated in concrete
actions that make a real difference."
The Honourable Soraya Martinez Ferrada, Minister of
Tourism and Minister Responsible for the Economic Development
Agency of Canada for the Regions
of Quebec and Member of Parliament
for Hochelaga
"Building more quality, affordable housing that meets the needs
of those who built today's Quebec
is a mission our government is committed to every day. The
Unitaînés project is much more than just a building — it is a warm,
modern community environment where our seniors can live with
dignity and comfort. Many Montréal residents will now enjoy a home
where they will feel fulfilled, energized and supported. I'm
thrilled with this wonderful news for the residents and seniors of
our beautiful city!"
Karine Boivin Roy, Government
Assistant for the Minister of Employment and the Minister
Responsible for the Metropolis and the Montréal Region and Member
of the National Assembly for Anjou–Louis-Riel
"To address the affordability crisis affecting all cities in
Quebec, we must act on several
fronts. I would like to thank Mr. Maurice and Mission
Unitaînés for their commitment to housing for seniors. With their
support, 100 affordable housing units will soon be built to
accommodate Montréalers aged 65 and over so they can continue
living in their neighbourhood. These units will meet their needs
and protect them from rent increases and eviction over the long
term. This concrete project will help preserve the diversity of our
neighbourhoods."
Benoit Dorais, City of
Montréal's Executive Committee Vice-Chair, head of Housing, Real
Estate Strategy and Legal Affairs
"With the housing shortage and the difficulty in getting new
housing projects off the ground, we need to find concrete solutions
and support initiatives that help accelerate housing starts. That
is exactly what Mission Unitaînés does. It has proposed an
innovative partnership model, and the Montréal Metropolitan Community is participating through the
Fonds du logement social métropolitain. This project fits with our
objectives of inclusive densification that meets the needs of low-
and moderate-income senior households."
Guillaume Tremblay, Chair of the Montréal Metropolitan Community's Commission de l'habitation
et de la cohésion sociale and Mayor of Mascouche
"The construction of social housing is an integral part of the
solution to the housing crisis. Every social housing project that
adds units quickly is good news for the most vulnerable households.
That's why I'm delighted with the construction of this 100-unit
social housing project that will meet the needs of households in
Mercier–Hochelaga-Maisonneuve. They will be able to find affordable
housing in a safe, pleasant environment."
Pierre Lessard-Blais, Mayor of
the Borough of Mercier–Hochelaga-Maisonneuve
"The Office municipal d'habitation de Montréal is proud to
be a partner in this innovative rental construction project that
meets the needs of our seniors and once again demonstrates our
commitment to low-income seniors. The Office municipal d'habitation
de Montréal already has proven expertise in managing social
and affordable housing, particularly with Les Résidences
EnHarmonie, its network of seniors' residences. A big thank you to
Mission Unitaînés for enabling us to increase the supply of
affordable housing for seniors in Montréal. We're already looking
forward to welcoming the tenants who will benefit from the positive
impact of this project."
Christian Champagne, Chair of
the Board, Office municipal d'habitation de Montréal
"This meaningful project is in line with the mission I've set
myself to help people in our society age better, so that they feel
safer, freer, happier and less isolated. Twenty-five years of
working hard to build and develop housing for seniors has given me
a good understanding of their needs and solid expertise in the
design, construction and management of state-of-the-art seniors'
residences. Now I want to put this expertise to work for our less
affluent seniors. I'm also very grateful to those who have helped
make this wonderful challenge a reality so quickly."
Luc Maurice, Chair of the
Board of Directors, Mission Unitaînés
Highlights:
- Seniors who settle in these units and are eligible may benefit
from the Société d'habitation du Québec (SHQ)'s Rent Supplement
Program, which would ensure that they spend no more than 25% of
their income on housing. This additional assistance is covered by
the SHQ (90%) and the municipality where the project is located
(10%).
- The financial model was designed to provide long-term housing
units whose rent is equivalent to 25% of residents' income. Rent
has been set at an average of $595
per month for a one-bedroom unit including heating, electricity and
Wi-Fi. Rent increases will be limited by agreements with the SHQ to
make sure units remain affordable in the years to come.
About the Société d'habitation du
Québec
As a leader in housing, the SHQ's mission is to meet the housing
needs of Quebecers through its expertise and services to citizens.
It does this by providing affordable and low-rental housing and
offering a range of assistance programs to support the
construction, renovation and adaptation of homes, and access to
homeownership.
To find out more about its activities, visit
www.habitation.gouv.qc.ca/english.
SocietehabitationQuebec
HabitationSHQ
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About Canada Mortgage and Housing
Corporation
As Canada's authority on
housing, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) contributes
to the stability of the housing market and financial system,
provides support for Canadians in housing need, and offers unbiased
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consumers and the housing industry. CMHC's aim is that, by 2030,
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SOURCE Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC)