Opening — 384 Social and Community Housing Units in Longueuil

LONGUEUIL, Quebec, November 05, 2007 — Low-income families, individuals and seniors in the Longueuil area now have access to more resources thanks to the construction, at the initiative of the Office municipale d’habitation (OMH) de Longueuil, of six housing projects comprising a total of 384 social and community housing units.

This announcement was made today, on the occasion of this opening, by Fatima Houda-Pépin, MNA for La Pinière and First Vice-President of the National Assembly, on behalf of Nathalie Normandeau, Deputy Premier and Minister of Municipal Affairs and Regions. Claude Gladu, Mayor of Longueuil, and Robert Gladu, Chair of the Board of Directors of the OMH de Longueuil, as well as CMHC representatives, also attended the ceremony, in the presence of tenants and community partners.

“The Government of Canada is delivering on its commitment to make affordable housing available to those who need it most, in Quebec and across the country,” said the Honourable Michael M. Fortier, Minister of Public Works and Government Services and Minister responsible for the Montréal region, on behalf of the Honourable Monte Solberg, Minister of Human Resources and Social Development. “The development of these new units in the Longueuil area will allow low-income families, individuals and seniors to live in quality, safe, affordable housing, and turn a new leaf in their lives.”

“The Government of Quebec is very proud to have provided its supported to the OMH de Longueuil as, thanks to the development of all these housing projects, no fewer than 384 households will be able to enjoy a better quality of life in healthy, affordable housing, while remaining in a community that they know and love,” said Fatima Houda-Pépin.

More than $37 million was invested by public partners to develop Place Anthony, Place Saint-Charles-Borromée (which comprises four buildings), Place Sainte-Louise-de-Marillac, Résidence Brébeuf and Havre-de-Paix. Financial contributions in the amount of $23 million were provided for the development of these projects, including more than $14 million by the Société d’habitation du Québec (SHQ) under the AccèsLogis Québec and Affordable Housing Québec programs. The City of Longueuil, for its part, contributed $5 million in assistance under its agglomeration jurisdiction. This sum is repaid by the Montréal Metropolitan Community out of the social housing fund to which the 82 municipalities on its territory contribute, including the City of Longueuil. Lastly, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation provided $3.6 million for the construction of Havre-de-Paix. The balance of the investment is being assumed by the Office municipale d’habitation de Longueuil through a mortgage loan secured by the SHQ.

The development of these projects is part of the Government of Quebec's initiative to achieve its objective of producing 22,000 social and community housing units for low- and moderate-income households, as well as people in difficulty with special housing needs, by 2010.

The federal government and the Government of Quebec signed two agreements to increase the supply of affordable housing in Quebec. These agreements provide for a total contribution of $473 million, with $236.5 million from the federal government and an equivalent sum on the part of the Quebec government and the municipalities participating in the Affordable Housing Québec and AccèsLogis Québec programs.

Source:

Jonathan Trudeau
Press Assistant
Office of the Deputy Premier and Minister of Municipal Affairs and Regions
418-691-2050
514-873-2622

Information:

Hélène Bégin
Communications Advisor
Communications
Société d’habitation du Québec
418-643-5033

Marie-Chantale Lortie
Communications and Marketing
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
514-283-7972

Description Of The Housing Projects That Were Opened

Place Saint-Charles-Borromée

Construction of 110 housing units for low-income families and individuals. This $11.2 million construction was developed under the AccèsLogis Québec program. In addition, among the tenants, 55 households can benefit from the Rent Supplement program.

Résidence Brébeuf

Construction of 56 housing units for low-income independent seniors. This $5.4 million construction was developed under the AccèsLogis Québec program. In addition, among the tenants, 28 households can benefit from the Rent Supplement program.

Place Sainte-Louise-de-Marillac

Construction of 36 housing units for low-income families and individuals. This $3.4 million construction was developed under the AccèsLogis Québec program. In addition, among the tenants, 18 households can benefit from the Rent Supplement program.

Place Anthony

Construction of 28 housing units for low-income families and individuals. This $2.8 million construction was developed under the AccèsLogis Québec program. In addition, among the tenants, 14 households can benefit from the Rent Supplement program.

Havre-de-Paix

Construction of 154 housing units for low-income independent seniors. This $14.1 million construction was developed under the Affordable Housing Québec program.