ALMA,
QC, July 10, 2024 /CNW/ - The governments
of Quebec and Canada, together with Desjardins, Groupe
Coderr, and the City of Alma, have
announced the construction of a 60-unit social and affordable
housing project on Des Cascades Boulevard, in Alma. The Les Habitations Coderr project draws
on the mission and values of social integration and inclusion held
by the project developer, Groupe Coderr.
The entire project is part of the Desjardins Affordable Housing
Initiative (Initiative Logement abordable Desjardins), an
innovative partnership between the Government of Quebec and Desjardins, along with the
Government of Canada's Affordable
Housing Innovation Fund.
The financial package of nearly $18 million includes
investments by the Government of Quebec ($10.5 million), the Government of
Canada ($825,000), the City of
Alma ($4 million) and Desjardins (close to $450,000 in patient capital), which is also
granting a mortgage loan of more than $5.4 million to Coderr Group, which benefits
from financial support for this project from the Caisse Desjardins
d'Alma. Coderr Group will be
responsible for the management and maintenance of the building.
The new living environment will consist of 60 affordable units
on four floors. Fifteen of the units will provide transitional
housing for people living in unstable conditions and dealing with
social exclusion. The tenants of these units could also benefit
from Quebec's Rent Supplement
Program, if they are eligible.
The first tenants will be able to move in in January 2026. Equipped with an elevator,
sprinklers and an outdoor parking area, the building will also
include an air-conditioned multi-purpose common room, an outdoor
patio and landscaping to foster socialization among residents.
The monthly rent will be set at about $740 for a one-bedroom unit, $935 for a two-bedroom unit and $995 for a three-bedroom unit.
Éric Girard, Member of the National Assembly for Lac-Saint-Jean
and Parliamentary Assistant to the Quebec Minister of Municipal Affairs, made the
announcement on behalf of France-Élaine Duranceau, Quebec Minister Responsible for Housing. With
him were Sylvie Beaumont, Mayor of
Alma, Mario Lapierre, Vice-President, Specialized
Business Services at Desjardins Group, Josée Gauthier, Executive
Director of Coderr Group.
About the Desjardins Affordable Housing Initiative
In 2022, the Government of Quebec entrusted Desjardins with $175 million for the creation of 1,000 new social
and affordable housing units. Projects would be spread over 14
Quebec regions and be delivered by the end of 2025. Desjardins
would then make available more than $150
million in financing and patient capital to project
developers with the support of Desjardins Regional and Co-operative
Capital. Project developers committed to keeping the units
affordable for up to 35 years.
With its dedicated team and extensive network of caisses, as
well as the expertise of the Caisse d'économie solidaire,
Desjardins quickly exceeded its targets. It brought in non-profit
organizations, housing co-operatives and municipal players and is
now on track to make over 1,500 affordable housing units available
by the end of 2025.
In view of this efficiency, in December 2023, Quebec added $43.75 million to the amount originally
awarded to Desjardins, to create 250 additional affordable housing
units. In all, Desjardins will make more than 1,750 affordable
housing units available in three years.
A total of 75% of the projects will be new construction, like
Coderr Group's project in Alma.
The other 25% will be renovated and acquired by non-profit
organizations to help keep rents affordable in the long term.
Quotes:
"I've often said that we need to innovate to build more and
better housing, especially given the current housing crisis. This
collaboration with Desjardins is further proof that our government
is taking concrete action, alongside municipalities and housing
organizations, to better house Quebecers experiencing housing
instability and social exclusion. I'm excited about this
partnership with Desjardins, which mobilizes stakeholder expertise
to very quickly build quality affordable housing. We're determined
to deliver results with this partnership, and the success of Coderr
Group's project is a great example of that!"
France-Élaine Duranceau,
Quebec Minister Responsible for
Housing
"We're determined to ensure that everyone has a safe place to
call home. I'm proud that we've been able to support this project
through the Affordable Housing Innovation Fund, in collaboration
with the Government of Quebec, the
City of Alma and Desjardins. It
all shows our unwavering commitment to ensuring that no one is left
behind."
The Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Housing,
Infrastructure and Communities
"To get housing projects built in our communities, we need
project developers, and we've certainly got one here! Coderr Group
has a wide range of expertise and will add another set of skills to
their toolbelt with this affordable housing project that, let's be
honest, can't be built soon enough. Alma's vacancy rate is very low, and we're in
need of projects like this one. Hats off to the Coderr Group team,
which has been able to bring together solid partners and execute
this Les Habitations Coderr project."
Éric Girard, Member of the National Assembly for
Lac-Saint-Jean and Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of
Municipal Affairs
"The construction of these 60 new affordable and social housing
units is great news for Alma. This
project fits perfectly with our special planning program, which
aims to make downtown an attractive and inhabited neighbourhood.
Congratulations to Coderr Group, which, in addition to building 45
affordable units, will be making 15 more units supportive ones with
help for low- or moderate-income people experiencing social
exclusion."
Sylvie Beaumont, Mayor of
Alma
"For us at Desjardins, access to housing for all is about
dignity and community spirit. That's why we're fully committed to
this cause that ties in with our co-operative values. The new Les
Habitations Coderr building is for people who face their own
special challenges every day. It reflects our desire to develop
more just and equitable communities. It also shows our ability to
get things going, to get everybody working together quickly thanks
to our one-stop-shop model."
Guy Cormier, President and
CEO, Desjardins Group
"For years, we've been dreaming of doing more for our clients
experiencing social exclusion. I'd like to emphasize that our
primary mission is helping people. Building this housing complex
will multiply our impact. Today, we are laying a new cornerstone to
provide people with better living conditions."
Josée Gauthier, Executive Director, Coderr Group
Highlights:
- The City of Alma is providing
a contribution of about $4 million,
which includes the land on which the project will be built, the
covering of costs for water and sewer connections, and certain tax
credits.
- The goal of the Affordable Housing Innovation Fund is to spur
original ideas and approaches that will stimulate Canada's affordable housing sector and help it
evolve.
- The project derives from Coderr Group's values and mission of
social integration and inclusion. The transitional housing
component will include intervention and psychosocial support
services in the apartments. It's designed to help low- and
moderate-income people experiencing social exclusion develop
behaviours and skills. The goal is for them to eventually move into
permanent homes.
- Some people who move into the 15 transitional housing units
may, if eligible, benefit from the Société d'habitation du Québec's
(SHQ's) Rent Supplement Program, which would ensure that they don't
spend more than 25% of their income on housing. This additional
assistance is covered by the SHQ (90%) and the municipality where
the project is located (10%).
About the Société d'habitation du Québec
As a leader in housing, the SHQ's mission is to meet the housing
needs of Quebecers through its expertise and services to citizens.
It does this by providing affordable and low-rental housing and
offering a range of assistance programs to support the
construction, renovation and adaptation of homes, and access to
homeownership.
To find out more about its activities,
visit www.habitation.gouv.qc.ca/english.
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SOURCE Government of Canada