Ontario Construction News staff writer
The governments of Canada and Quebec are participating in the creation of a fast-track approach to accelerate affordable housing starts across Quebec, with 1,001 units announced today to be built rapidly. The new business model involves providing financial support to affordable housing projects by experienced developer groups recognized for their efficiency by the Société d’habitation du Québec (SHQ).
Qualified Developer status will be granted to developers or organizations so they can start construction on their projects more quickly. To this end, the SHQ is planning a major administrative streamlining of the “applicant qualification” phase when organizations apply for financial assistance for the construction of affordable housing. Keen to set the process in motion, the SHQ has already identified developers who would be able to obtain qualification status quickly.
The Société de développement Angus (SDA) is the first to join the SHQ’s network of qualified developers. It will receive nearly $193.5 million in funding to build 1,001 new housing units: 677 in Montréal and 324 in Rimouski. This financial assistance covers around 50 per cent of the estimated cost of building the units, whose affordability will be guaranteed for a minimum of 35 years.
“In the face of labour shortages and rising construction costs, we must innovate. We need to build affordable housing smarter and faster for Canadians,” said Sean Fraser, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities.”
Funding comes from the $900 million in federal funding provided to Quebec through the Canada-Quebec Agreement under the Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF) and $900 from Quebec in its fall 2023 economic update.
Projects in Montreal:
- In the Technopôle Angus district, located in Rosemont–La Petite-Patrie, a two-building housing project with up to seven storeys will be built in the heart of the Angus eco-district on Molson Street. It will include 352 one-, two- and three-bedroom units. Construction will begin by late 2024.
- In Ahuntsic, 325 one-, two- and three-bedroom units will be built. It will be the first residential project of the future Écoquartier Louvain. The eco-district will eventually include an elementary school, childcare centre, library, community centre, multipurpose hall, shops, local services and an urban agriculture centre. Construction will begin by summer 2025.
The housing projects aim for LEED certification with affordable, sustainable housing based on the highest standards of sustainable development.
“I continue to repeat that we need more solutions for increasing housing supply, especially when it comes to social and affordable housing,” said France-Élaine Duranceau, Quebec Minister Responsible for Housing. “That’s why I’m proud to announce today that we’re broadening our range of solutions with the “Qualified Developer” status.
“This is a fast track for the rapid construction of quality affordable housing by developers with recognized expertise in housing. I’m confident that this first qualification of its kind, granted to the Société de développement Angus, will prove to be fruitful.”
Projects and developers will be assessed by the Société d’habitation du Québec (SHQ) against a rigorous evaluation grid.The goal of this SHQ initiative is to work with organizations that have proven housing expertise, control risk by making sure developers are financially sound and capable of carrying out projects, ensure the long-term financial viability of projects and achieve economies of scale by making each developer responsible for a large number of units.
- For more information, visit the SHQ’s website.
