Prime development opportunity in Montréal — 1,400 units

Interested applicants must demonstrate in their response to this request for expression of interest how they will meet or exceed the following minimum requirements:

1. Affordability

Rents for at least 30% of the units must be less than 80% of the median market rent, for a minimum of 99 years.

Median Market Rent (MMR) means the median market rent for the regional market and unit type of the project as described in CMHC’s rental market survey or any successor publication published from time to time.

In planning the affordability component of their project, proponents must ensure rents for affordable units are less than 80% or less of the median market rents as outlined below:

• Bachelor: $1,207
• 1 Bedroom: $1,500
• 2 Bedroom: $1,846
• 3 Bedroom: $1,738 

2. Accessibility

Proponents must demonstrate that their projects are designed to meet or exceed one of the following options:

Option 1: At least 20% of units must meet accessibility standards outlined in CSA B651:23/652:23 OR achieve Rick Hansen Foundation GOLD Accessibility Certification (for projects seeking Rick Hansen Foundation certification, a rating score of 5 points for feature 9.11.1 is required) AND all common areas must be barrier-free

OR

Option 2: the entire project — including common areas and dwelling units — must follow full universal design standards.

3. Energy efficiency

New projects are required to achieve either Tier 2 of the 2020 National Energy Code for Buildings (NECB) or Tier 3 of the 2020 National Building Code (NBC).

4. Experience

Proponents must demonstrate that the necessary experience in development, construction and operation of projects of similar size. Proponents are permitted to acquire this experience by engaging third parties.

To qualify, the proponent must demonstrate that they comply with the following:

• Previous experience developing large projects (min 5,000m²) in the Montréal downtown (Ville Marie, Sud-Ouest, Plateau Mont-Royal, Rosemont-La Petite Patrie, Mercier-Hochelaga-Maisonneuve) and a capacity to navigate the local political, administrative and technical constraints.
• Administrative and financial capacity to undertake projects of a minimum of 250 units and be capable of depositing plans for permit in 2026.
• A portfolio of owned existing residential units and/or completed residential projects comprising a minimum of 300 residential units

Your request for expression of interest response must include the following items:

• A signed copy of the expression of interest
• An explanation (on the applicant’s letter head) for each minimum requirement outlined above, as to how the applicant intends to meet and/or exceeds each minimum requirement and a confirmation that the applicant will comply with the experience requirements outlined in above.

The purpose of this request for expression of interest is for CMHC and CLC to identify potential applicants who are interested in acquiring ownership or acquiring an emphyteutic lease in all or part of the subject property. The goal is to create an affordable housing project that will meet or exceed certain minimum requirements set out by CMHC and CLC.

The Federal Lands Initiative is open, but not limited, to the following groups:

• Community housing organizations
• Non-profit organizations or registered charities
• Co-operative housing organizations
• Municipal, provincial and territorial governments including their agencies
• Indigenous governments and organizations, including tribal councils

For the property being marketed, all groups must be considered non-market housing developers/providers by the City of Montréal.