Government of Canada to Build Safe and Affordable Housing in Montréal

Logo: Government of Canada (CNW Group/Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation)

Logo: Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CNW Group/Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation)

Projects mark the start of new funding from the new Co-Investment Fund

MONTRÉAL, Jan. 22, 2019 /CNW/ - Every Canadian deserves a safe and affordable place to call home. That is why, in May 2018, the Government launched the National Housing Co-Investment Fund (NHCF), the largest program of its kind in Canadian history.

Today, in Montreal, the Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Familes, Children and Social Development and Minister responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), announced a federal government financial commitment for three projects valued at $27.6 million including more than $12.8 million for the construction of 78 units at Première Porte located in the Ahuntsic-Cartierville neighbourhood of Montréal.

Thanks to this commitment by the NHCF, a pillar initiative of the National Housing Strategy (NHS), and to the investments of other partners, notably the Caisse d'économie solidaire Desjardins, this project by the Société de Gestion Querbes will provide housing for 78 families and individuals, including newcomers, in addition to offering support services to assist newcomers with their integration. These services will be offered in partnership with the Regroupement R.O.M.E.L.

Quotes

"Through the Government of Canada's historic National Housing Strategy, more Canadians will find safe, accessible and affordable housing in communities where their families can thrive and their children can learn and grow. The first group of projects announced today, through the National Housing Co-Investment Fund, are part of of our government's decade long commitment to making housing more affordable. I am proud to be part of a government that has a long-term vision and works in a spirit of collaboration with all partners to enable all Canadians to build a better life for themselves and their community." – The Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development and Minister responsible for CMHC

"Our government is working to make housing more affordable here in Montreal and across Canada so that families don't have to choose between paying rent and paying for groceries. Première porte is a great example of this. Families should be able to live, grow and work in a neighbourhood that meets their needs, and have the stability and opportunities enabling them to succeed. Investing in housing is investing in our future - it's good for the well-being of our families, our communities and our country as a whole." – The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Tourism, Official Languages and La Francophonie and Member of Parliament for Ahuntsic-Cartierville

"If integration is the key to participation in society and fulfilment, housing is the key to integration. We are pleased to welcome Minister Duclos's announcement of support for the Première Porte project as part of the National Housing Strategy and the National Housing Co-Investment Fund. With regard to ROMEL, it is a dream that will come true thanks to this support, the dream of being able to welcome newcomers in healthy and affordable housing and give them the opportunity to embark on their integration process on a solid foundation." – Mazen Houdeib, General Manager of R.O.M.E.L. and Société de Gestion Querbes

"To provide good quality community housing to new citizens is, in turn, offering: security, a place to learn participatory power and the strength to make collaborative group decisions. Providing decent, affordable housing remains one of the most important urban issues in Quebec and around the world. To meet this pressing need, our specialized team works closely with ROMEL and all social and community housing partners to ensure adequate funding and project sustainability." – Marc Picard, General Manager of the Caisse d'économie solidaire Desjardins

Quick Facts

• The projected construction cost of Première Porte is $16.3 million.
• The new building will achieve energy savings of 26.1% and a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions of 26.9% compared to 2015 NECB.
• All units and common areas of the building will be accessible through universal design and 17 units will be fully accessible.
• At least 24 units will be affordable and will have a rent representing 80% of the median market rent.
• Founded in 1983, Société de Gestion Querbes Inc.'s mission is to help overcome the difficulties faced by newcomers by offering them short, medium and long-term housing that meets their needs in terms of quality, price and safety. By having a safe and affordable home, newcomers can then focus their efforts on the other actions they will need to take to settle in their new country.
• The Caisse d'économie solidaire is Quebec's community housing credit union. This is its most important investment sector and it finances it with more than $350 million throughout Quebec. More than 650 community housing organizations are members of the Caisse d'économie solidaire.
• With a budget of $13.2 billion, NHCF gives priority to projects that help those in greatest need, including women and children fleeing family violence, seniors, Indigenous peoples, people with disabilities, those dealing with mental health and addictions, Veterans and young adults
• Through the NHCF, the Government of Canada will work with partners to build up to 60,000 new affordable homes and repair up to 240,000 existing affordable and community homes over the next 10 years.
• Investments are also planned in the NHCF to create or repair at least 4,000 shelter spaces for victims of family violence and create at least 7,000 new affordable housing units for seniors and 2,400 new affordable housing units for people with developmental disabilities.
• Under the Investing in Canada plan, the Government of Canada is investing more than $180 billion over 12 years in public transit projects, green infrastructure, social infrastructure, trade and transportation routes, and Canada's rural and northern communities.

Associated Links

• As Canada's authority on housing, CMHC contributes to the stability of the housing market and financial system, provides support for Canadians in housing need, and offers unbiased housing research and advice to all levels of Canadian government, consumers and the housing industry. For more information, visit our website or follow us on Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.
• To find out more about the National Housing Strategy, visit www.placetocallhome.ca.

SOURCE Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation

Valérie Glazer, Press secretary, Office of the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, 613-220-1841, [email protected]; Catherine Léger, Public Affairs, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, 514-475-5165, [email protected]

Related Links

www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca