The governments of Canada and the province of Quebec have unveiled plans for a new social and affordable housing project in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, aimed at older independent residents.
The partnership, which includes contributions from Mission Unitaînés and the City of Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu itself, will see the construction of a six-storey building with 100 units over the next two years.
The project represents a significant investment of C$23.5m ($17.38m) from the governments, which will cover land costs, certain tax breaks, and utility connection fees.
Philanthropist Luc Maurice has also contributed to the funding, with construction expected to run from next month to April 2026.
Upon completion, the Haut-Richelieu Municipal Housing Office will take over management and maintenance of the building, supported by a C$500,000 reserve fund from Mission Unitaînés.
The building will offer 15 bachelor apartments, 74 one-bedroom units, and 11 two-bedroom units, with rent priced at approximately C$595 and C$900, respectively.
This initiative is part of a broader scheme, with an investment nearing C$235m from both government levels, to construct ten 100-unit buildings across ten cities in Quebec.
These developments are linked to the C$900m in federal funding provided to Quebec through the Housing Accelerator Fund and an additional C$900m announced by Quebec in its late 2023 economic update.
Each municipality's contribution to the project ranges from C$3m to C$5m, either in kind or as a subsidy, and includes land transfers, a three-year tax holiday, building permits, and utility connections.
Mission Unitaînés, a charitable organisation, will oversee the design and construction of the ten buildings, providing them to the municipalities or designated non-profit organisations ready for commissioning, free of mortgage, and for a nominal fee.
Quebec Housing Minister France-Élaine Duranceau said: “The implementation of the Housing Accelerator Fund in Quebec paves the way for innovative solutions.
“The partnership between Mission Unitaînés and the municipalities, supported by funding from the governments of Canada and Quebec, will allow more housing units to be built, more rapidly, to provide appropriate housing to thousands of low- and moderate-income seniors."
