A partnership between Fonds immobilier de solidarité FTQ and Han-Logement
Sherbrooke, June 17, 2019 – Today, Han-Logement officially inaugurated its 14th and 15th buildings entirely dedicated to people with a physical or intellectual disability. Located at 1085-1095 and 1097-1107 Boulevard Lavigerie in Sherbrooke, the two buildings each have 6 fully adapted units. Tenants moved in last fall.
The $1.98-million project was made possible by the partnership created between Han-Logement and the Fonds immobilier de solidarité FTQ, as well as the financial contributions of Desjardins Entreprises and Investissement Québec. As well, this project would not have seen the light of day without the contribution of the City of Sherbrooke, which donated the land, and the generosity of a major private donor.
Tenants will obtain a subsidy under the Rent Supplement program offered by the Société d’habitation du Québec (SHQ) that will limit their rent to 25% of their income. The remaining amount will be assumed by the SHQ (90%) and the City of Sherbrooke (10%). This rent supplement is essential to the success of Han-Logement’s projects.
“The buildings have been named Les habitations Michel Lapierre in honour of Michel Lapierre, our most generous donor to date,” said Paul Champagne, general manager of Han-Logement. “This is his fifth sponsorship since 2010. Including these 12 units that we are officially inaugurating today, Mr. Lapierre has supported 48 units and changed the lives of 48 people and their families. It makes a world of difference for them.”
For his part, Mr. Lapierre said, “My first contact with Han-Logement was in 2010. Their mission immediately resonated with me and made me realize that this is a wonderful opportunity to give back something concrete and lasting to a community that has given me a lot, but above all to brighten the lives of people with very real needs.”
“I salute the involvement of our generous major donors, including Mr. Lapierre, who has been a steadfast benefactor for more than five years. Thanks to people like him and the confidence shown by our loyal partners, Han-Logement can realize its vision of development by constantly preparing other projects,” said in turn Dominique Larose, chairman of Han-Logement’s Board of Directors.
“I commend Han-Logement’s unique and creative business model,” said Pierre Benoit, Investment Director of the Fonds immobilier de solidarité FTQ. “We partnered with Han-Logement in 2017 with the goal of building 100 units in 5 years. Up until now, we have built 24 in Magog and Sherbrooke, and another 27 are in development, for a total investment of $1.4 million to date. This pivotal partnership allows us to continue delivering on our mission to participate in socially responsible projects that also create quality jobs.”
Founded in 2002, Han-Logement is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of individuals with a physical and/or intellectual disability living in unsuitable housing by offering affordable, quality housing adapted to their needs. The organization has 15 buildings with a total of 97 adapted units in Magog and Sherbrooke. Donors and partners are the components of the winning recipe that Han-Logement intends to repeat to alleviate the pressing need for adapted housing in our region.
To learn more about Han-Logement, visit: hanlogement.org