Han-Logement Builds 16 Affordable Housing Units for People with Disabilities in Rimouski
Rimouski, December 15, 2023
Representing the Minister Responsible for Housing, France-Élaine Duranceau, Maïté Blanchette Vézina, Minister of Natural Resources and Forests and Minister Responsible for the Bas-Saint-Laurent and Gaspésie-Îles-de-la-Madeleine Regions, and MNA for Rimouski, was on hand today along with Guy Caron, Mayor of Rimouski, Martin Raymond, President and CEO of the Fonds immobilier de solidarité FTQ, and Paul Champagne, Managing Director of Han-Logement, for the official groundbreaking ceremony for a new social housing project in Rimouski.
Located on Boulevard Grande-Ourse, it will consist of two buildings, each with eight one- and two-bedroom supervised units adapted to the needs of people with developmental or physical disabilities and/or a slight loss of autonomy. Tenants will be eligible for a subsidy under the Société d'habitation du Québec's Rent Supplement program, which limits their rent to 25% of their income. This financial assistance, which could reach about $500,000, is spread over five years and is assumed by the Société d'habitation du Québec (90%) and the City of Rimouski (10%).
With a cost of $4.3 million, this project was made possible by $1.7 million in funding from the Québec government and a $500,000 investment from the Fonds de solidarité FTQ, as part of their partnership to build 1,400 affordable housing units in Québec by 2025. The City of Rimouski donated the land, valued at $418,000, to Han-Logement, while generous donors contributed the equivalent of $250,000 to help make this project a reality.
Quotes
"The partnership between the Government of Québec and the Fonds de solidarité FTQ continues to bear fruit. We're working together to increase the housing supply throughout Québec, and I'm delighted to note the launch of a social housing project in Rimouski for a vulnerable clientele. I salute the work of all the partners and reiterate my desire to see more projects of this kind, which are now possible thanks to the financial tools at our disposal and to the more flexible conditions of our programs."
France-Élaine Duranceau, Minister Responsible for Housing
"This social housing project will make a real difference in Rimouski. Improving access to housing is a priority for the region, and I'm thrilled to see it moving forward and helping people with special needs.
I would like to thank all the partners involved in this project, which will enable 16 families to flourish and receive support in their daily activities."
Maïté Blanchette Vézina, Minister of Natural Resources and Forests and Minister Responsible for the Bas-Saint-Laurent and Gaspésie-Îles-de-la-Madeleine Regions
"We've been a partner of Han-Logement since 2017 and we're proud to support its growth in Bas-Saint-Laurent. The organization's business model can be applied in other regions where households are facing accessibility and availability challenges. Our contribution falls squarely within our mission of investing in sustainable and socially responsible real estate development. This new social project also speaks to the success of our agreement with the Québec government, which aims to take concrete action to ensure that affordable housing is created quickly."
Martin Raymond, President and CEO, Fonds immobilier de solidarité FTQ
"This addition to our real estate portfolio is part of Han-Logement's foray into Eastern Québec, where investments of over $60 million are planned over the next three years. And it comes at just the right time, when the need for affordable housing, especially for accessible units, is greater than ever, and inflation is particularly hard on the most vulnerable populations. The support of the community and our valued partners has been vital to the success of this project, whose aim is to provide residents with an environment in which they can flourish regardless of their physical or intellectual condition, their resources or where they live. On behalf of Han-Logemont, I would like to thank all those who played a role in the construction of these buildings that will provide disabled people with a living environment adapted to their reality."
Paul Champagne, Managing Director, Han-Logement
"The members of the municipal council and I are very pleased to see the Han-Logement project taking shape. At a time when we are experiencing a housing crisis in Rimouski, as evidenced by a vacancy rate of 0.4%, the creation of these units is in line with the actions and projects set out in our Housing Shortage Plan. These 16 new accessible units are also perfectly in line with our values and our Disability Action Plan. I would like to acknowledge the contribution of the Government of Québec and the Fonds de solidarité FTQ, both of which played a vital role in bringing this project to life."
Guy Caron, Mayor of the City of Rimouski
Quick Facts
- In June 2022, the Government of Québec entrusted the Fonds de solidarité FTQ with $175 million of funds earmarked for housing projects.
- The Fonds de solidarité FTQ has undertaken to create 1,000 social housing units over 3 years and to ensure that the majority of them remain affordable for 35 years.
- In April 2023, the Government of Québec and the Fonds de solidarité FTQ announced that they were on track to surpass their goal:
- The Fonds de solidarité FTQ now expects to create 1,400 units in 10 Québec regions.
About the Société d'habitation du Québec
As a leader in housing, the Société d'habitation du Québec (SHQ) works to meet the housing needs of Québec citizens. To that end, it offers affordable or low-rental housing and assistance programs promoting residential construction and renovation, home adaptation and home ownership.
To learn more about its activities, visit www.habitation.gouv.qc.ca.
About the Fonds immobilier de solidarité FTQ
The Fonds immobilier de solidarité FTQ drives economic growth and employment in Québec by strategically investing in profitable and socially responsible real estate projects in partnership with leading industry players. The Fonds immobilier supports projects across Québec in the residential, office, commercial, institutional and industrial sectors, in particular those that consider ESG (environmental, social, governance) factors with a view to developing sustainable properties. As at June 30, 2023, the Fonds immobilier had 47 projects with a combined value of $6.2 billion in development or construction, 70 portfolio properties under management, 3.7 million square feet of land for development and a cumulative total of $337 million invested in social and community projects. The Fonds immobilier is a member of the Canada Green Building Council — Québec division. www.fondsftq.com/immobilier
About Han-Logement
Founded in 2002, Han-Logement is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of people with a physical and/or intellectual disability and/or with autism spectrum disorder living in unsuitable housing by offering affordable, quality units adapted to their needs. In addition to 66 units currently under construction in Bas-Saint-Laurent, the organization has about 30 buildings with some 190 accessible units in Magog, Sherbrooke, Richmond, East Angus, Windsor, Val-des-Sources and Cowansville. To learn more about Han-Logement, visit: hanlogement.org.
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