56 new social and affordable housing units will be built, quickly, in Baie-Comeau

The governments of Canada and Quebec are proud to announce that 54 new affordable and social housing units will be built, quickly, in Baie-Comeau in the Côte-Nord region, as part of the second call for projects under the Programme d’habitation abordable Québec (PHAQ).

In the presence of Kateri Champagne Jourdain, Minister of Employment and Minister responsible for the Côte-Nord region, Yves Montigny, MNA for René-Lévesque, Michel Desbiens, Mayor of Baie-Comeau and the President of Les Habitations Manicouagan, Michel Savard, the Minister and the MNA announced the project below:

City: Baie-Comeau
Project developer: Les Habitations Manicouagan
Number of housing units: 56
Benefitting population: Families and individuals

This project was 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 City of Baie-Comeau 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 make sure these projects get off the ground quickly, developers must sign contractor agreements 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 Côte-Nord region 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 56 new affordable housing units in Baie-Comeau 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.”

"I'm very pleased to announce that 56 new affordable housing units will be built thanks to our government. Housing is an issue on which we've had several discussions in the region, and today we're highlighting the results of all our concerted efforts. It's important to build more housing to make the Côte-Nord more appealing, and that's what we're doing. I salute the commitment and mobilization of the City of Baie-Comeau and Habitations Manicouagan. They have seized the opportunities!"

"This announcement is the result of a concerted effort that will address the immense need for housing in our region. Providing everyone with a safe, affordable place to live is concrete action by our government to tackle the housing crisis."

"This is a very positive announcement for Baie-Comeau, and I'd like to thank the federal and provincial governments for their generous contribution. Faced with the current housing shortage, the Town has set up a residential development strategy and is working tirelessly to stimulate the construction of housing of all kinds. The construction of 56 new social housing units will have an immediate impact on our community, and we are proud to be a partner in the project."

"In a context where the housing crisis is hitting Baie-Comeau hard, with a vacancy rate of 0.5%, we can only welcome this announcement."

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 earmarked for the Government of 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 second 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. An interdepartmental project acceleration group will be set up in collaboration with municipal authorities and new land-use planning guidelines are coming that include residential construction metrics that municipalities will use in setting targets. New legislative amendments (currently in development and subject to adoption by the National Assembly) will also be tabled to improve urban densification and streamline multi-unit construction approval, 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.html.

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 that they can afford and that meets their needs. For more information, follow us on Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn and Facebook.

Sources:

Marie-Pierre St-Laurent
Political Attaché
Yves Montigny, Member of the National Assembly for René-Lévesque
Marie-pierre.st-laurent@assnat.qc.ca

Bénédicte Trottier Lavoie
Directrice des communications de la ministre de l’Emploi et ministre responsable de la région de la Côte-Nord
benedicte.trottierlavoie@mess.gouv.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