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The Governments of Canada and Quebec are proud to announce that 24 new housing units will be built quickly in Saint-Félix-de-Valois, under the second call for projects of the Société d'habitation du Québec's Programme d’habitation abordable Québec (PHAQ).
Here are the features of this project:
Municipality: Saint-Félix-de-Valois
Name of project: Maisons Féliciennes
Project developer: Municipality of Saint-Félix-de-Valois
Number of housing units: 24
Benefitting population: Families and individuals in need
This project will be made possible through the Canada–Quebec Agreement under the Housing Accelerator Fund, to which the governments of Canada and Quebec have each contributed $900 million. The municipality is also a financial partner in this project. It must provide a contribution equivalent to at least 40% of the SHQ’s base subsidy to the project.
In response to the housing crisis, the governments of Canada and Quebec announced on February 16 that 2,574 new housing units are being built, quickly, across Quebec through 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 24 additional housing under the Programme d’habitation abordable Québec. This good news for the Lanaudière area shows our firm commitment to building more affordable housing across Quebec. Every Quebecer deserves a home that meets their needs.”
“Every citizen of Quebec deserves a safe and affordable place to call home. The Government of Canada is proud to be part of the construction of 24 new affordable housing units in Saint-Félix-de-Valois through the Canada-Quebec Agreement under the Housing Accelerator Fund. The Government of Canada is firmly committed to building more housing, faster, and to making sure no one is left behind.”
“Members of our community know they can count on our government to step up and tackle the housing crisis in our city. Today’s announcement is the result of successful collaborative work. I applaud the federal and provincial governments, the Municipality of Saint-Félix-de-Valois that has implemented the required financial levers, our local partners and, of course, the project’s developers, who believe that affordable, social housing can contribute to a better quality of life in our community.”
“We are very pleased with the rapid progress of this project, which will provide 24 affordable housing units close to services for our community. I would like to thank the Government of Quebec for its financial support, as well as the entire team that has been involved in the project to date. We are actively looking for other partners in this project that will give 24 families and individuals in need a new lease on life.”
Highlights:
- Some of the households that move into these units could benefit from the Société d’habitation du Québec’s (SHQ) 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, nonprofits, 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 generate more housing in Canada.
- On December 11, 2023, the Government of Quebec announced the first wave of 14 projects from the second Programme d’habitation abordable Québec (PHAQ) call for projects (linked article 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 of Quebec will set up an interdepartmental project acceleration group in collaboration with Quebec municipal authorities, and 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.
Additional Information:
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.html.
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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 housing research and advice to all levels of Canadian government, consumers and the housing industry. CMHC’s aim is that, by 2030, everyone in Canada has a home they can afford and that meets their needs. For more information, follow us on Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn and Facebook.Sources:
Carole Noël
Office of Caroline Proulx
Riding of Berthier
caroline.proulx.berh@assnat.qc.ca
Justine Vézina
Press Secretary to the Minister Responsible for Housing
justine.vezina@habitation.gouv.qc.ca
Micaal Ahmed
Office of the Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities
micaal.ahmed@infc.gc.ca
Information:
Media Relations
Société d’habitation du Québec
medias@shq.gouv.qc.ca
Media Relations
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
media@cmhc-schl.gc.ca
