SAINT-CALIXTE, QC, May 24, 2024
/CNW/ - Louis-Charles Thouin, Member
of the National Assembly for Rousseau; Angelo Iacono, Member of Parliament for
Alfred-Pellan; and Michel Jasmin,
Mayor of Saint-Calixte, are proud
to announce that 28 new housing units are set to be completed
quickly in Saint-Calixte. These
units are part of the projects selected under the second call for
projects under the Société d'habitation du Québec's (SHQ's)
Programme d'habitation abordable Québec (PHAQ).
Project details:
Municipality: Saint-Calixte
Name of project: Coopérative de solidarité Au cœur des
collines
Project developer: Coopérative de solidarité Au cœur des
collines
Number of housing units: 28
Benefitting population: Semi-independent seniors
The Government of Canada's
contribution will come from the Canada–Quebec Agreement under the
Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF), to which it has contributed
$900 million. The Government of Quebec announced new
investments of $900 million in the November 2023 economic
update. The municipality of Saint-Calixte will also be a financial partner
in the project, as it must provide a contribution equivalent to at
least 40% of the base contribution from the SHQ.
In response to the housing crisis, the governments of
Canada and Quebec announced on February 16 that
2,574 new housing units will be built, quickly, across the
province as part of 47 selected projects, including the one
announced today. To ensure these projects launch quickly, their
developers must sign an agreement with a contractor within
12 months of being selected to remain eligible for government
funding.
Quotes:
"Only a few months after signing a historic agreement with the
Government of Canada, we're
already announcing the construction of additional housing under the
Programme d'habitation abordable Québec. This good news for the
Lanaudière region shows our firm commitment to building more
affordable housing across Quebec.
Every Quebecer deserves a home that meets their needs."
France-Élaine Duranceau,
Quebec Minister Responsible for
Housing and Member of the National Assembly for Bertrand
"Every Quebecer deserves a safe and affordable place to call
home. The Government of Canada is
proud to join in the creation of 28 new affordable
housing units for the most vulnerable residents in the municipality
of Saint-Calixte through the Canada-Quebec Agreement under the
Housing Accelerator Fund. This demonstrates our unwavering
commitment to ensuring that no one is left behind."
The Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Housing,
Infrastructure and Communities
"Our fellow citizens can count on our government to step up and
take concrete action to tackle the housing crisis in our region.
Today's announcement is the result of successful collaborative
work. I applaud the governments and the City for implementing the
required financial levers, as well as our local partners and, of
course, the project's developers who believe in the value of social
and affordable housing as a vector for better quality of life in
our community."
Louis-Charles Thouin, Member
of the National Assembly for Rousseau and Parliamentary Assistant
to the Quebec Minister Responsible
for Infrastructure
"Everyone deserves a safe and affordable place to call home.
Through the Canada-Quebec Agreement under the Housing Accelerator
Fund, we're building affordable housing, quickly, for those who
need it most throughout the country. Thanks to the projects
announced today, 28 affordable housing units will soon be
available. We know there's still a lot to be done, and we'll keep
on working hard for the people of Quebec."
Angelo Iacono, Member of Parliament for
Alfred-Pellan
"To the people of Saint-Calixte, we're delighted to share
excellent news: our two levels of government have announced
stronger support for affordable housing for our seniors age 75
and over. This announcement will give the project a major boost.
What's more, the Municipality is proud to point out that it will be
a major financial partner, with a contribution of $520,000 as part of local support. However, to
bring the project to life, the Au Cœur des collines co-op still
faces a major challenge in bridging the gap between the municipal
and community contributions to meet the requirement to come up with
at least 40% of the base contribution from the Société d'habitation
du Québec."
Michel Jasmin, Mayor of
Saint-Calixte
"The members of the Au cœur des collines co-op's board of
directors are proud to announce that the 28-unit construction
project will take place in Saint-Calixte, because we believe in the value
of social and affordable housing, which is essential for a better
quality of life in our community."
Jeanne Powers, Chair of the Au
Cœur des Collines Board of Directors
Highlights:
- Some of the households that move into these units could benefit
from the Société d'habitation du Québec's (SHQ's) Rent Supplement
Program, ensuring 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%).
- To keep the other units affordable, a maintenance period for
this assistance will be required. This period could last up to 35
years. Assistance rates will vary based on the term of the
commitment. Rents may be indexed each year based on percentages set
by the Tribunal administratif du logement.
- The Programme d'habitation abordable Québec (PHAQ) aims to
engage all partners who can develop affordable housing projects.
Co-operatives, non-profits, housing bureaus and private-sector
businesses can submit projects under the Program. The PHAQ also
aims to accelerate residential construction, which is why its
standards stipulate that projects must be started within 12 months
of being selected. This period may be extended to 18 months in
certain circumstances.
- The Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF) is a $4-billion Government of Canada initiative launched in March 2023 that includes $900 million for Quebec. Its goal is to accelerate the
construction of 100,000 housing units across the country.
- The Government of Quebec, as
part of its fall 2023 economic update, also announced new
investments of $900 million to
accelerate housing construction.
- The HAF encourages local governments to implement sustainable
initiatives that lower barriers to increasing housing supply and
approving development projects. Its long-term goal is to make
housing more affordable for people in Canada.
- On December 11, 2023, the
Government of Quebec announced the
first wave of 14 projects from the PHAQ's second call for projects
(in French only), representing 999 units in total.
- The Government of Quebec is
firmly committed to continuing its work to accelerate the
construction of residential units in the province through the
Act respecting land use planning and development and other
provisions. Furthermore, the government will set up an
interdepartmental project acceleration group in collaboration with
Quebec municipal authorities, and
it will also adopt new government directions on land use planning,
including metrics for residential construction that municipalities
will be required to use as a basis for setting targets. The
government also intends to propose legislative amendments (which
are being drafted and are subject to adoption by the National
Assembly) aimed at improving urban densification, streamlining
multi-unit construction approval and thus reducing the associated
delays.
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)