Governments of Canada and Quebec Invest in Affordable Housing in Laval

LAVAL, QUEBEC--(Marketwire - May 14, 2012) - The Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), and Michelle Courchesne, Chair of the Conseil du trésor, Minister responsible for Government Administration and Minister responsible for the Laval region, on behalf of Laurent Lessard, Minister of Municipal Affairs, Regions and Land Occupancy, today announced the official opening of Habitation Raymond-Goyer. This 76-unit affordable housing project for seniors required a total investment of more than $9.6 million, of which over $4.3 million was provided by the governments of Canada and Quebec.

In addition to the Government of Canada, through Canada's Economic Action Plan, and the Government of Quebec, under the AccèsLogis Québec program of the Société d'habitation du Québec (SHQ), the City of Laval contributed more than $1.2 million to the project. As well, $490,000 in additional financial assistance was provided in equal shares by the Government of Quebec and the City of Laval, under the Renovation Québec program. It should also be noted that the SHQ has secured the mortgage loan taken out by the organization to complete the financing of the project.

"The Harper Government is pleased to have contributed nearly $1.9 million to Habitation Raymond-Goyer and to help provide safe and affordable housing that meets the needs of seniors," said Minister Finley. "Through projects like this one, Canada's Economic Action Plan will continue to create jobs and stimulate the economy in the region and across Quebec."

"We are aware of the significant need for affordable housing here in the Laval region and across Quebec, and that's why our government invests substantial sums each year to allow for the development of projects like the one we are officially opening today. In addition to providing 76 households with quality housing that they can afford, Habitation Raymond-Goyer is helping to revitalize a major sector of the Chomedey district. Thanks to all the partners who joined the Société d'habitation du Québec to contribute to this great success," said Minister Michelle Courchesne in the presence of Gilles Vaillancourt, Mayor of Laval, Ginette Grisé, President of the Corporation d'habitation Laval, and community partners.

It should be specified that 38 tenants of Habitation Raymond-Goyer can benefit from the Rent Supplement program, which provides financial assistance to low-income individuals who would otherwise have to spend more than 25 per cent of their income on housing. The rent supplements provided will represent, over a five-year period, more than $639,000 in additional financial assistance, including over $575,000 from the SHQ and close to $64,000 from the City of Laval.

It should be noted that this project, like all projects developed under the AccèsLogis Québec program, was designed so as to obtain the Novoclimat certification. This requirement demonstrates the importance attached to improving energy efficiency by the Government of Quebec and the SHQ.

The Government of Canada, through CMHC, will invest more than $2 billion in housing this year. Of this amount, $1.7 billion will be spent in support of almost 605,000 households living in social housing. In Quebec, this represents some 129,550 households. These investments are improving the quality of life for low-income Canadians and households living in social housing, including individuals who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, seniors, persons with disabilities, recent immigrants and Aboriginal people.

To find out more about how CMHC is working to build stronger homes and communities for all Canadians, call CMHC at 1-800-668-2642 or visit www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca.

In the 2012/2013 budget, the Government of Quebec announced that it intends to build an additional 3,000 housing units, bringing to 35,000 units its objective of producing new affordable housing in Quebec. This represents an additional contribution of $180 million under the AccèsLogis Québec program and the private component of the Affordable Housing Québec program, and brings to nearly $1.5 billion the total assistance provided since 2003.

Since 2003, 887 community and affordable housing units have been, or are being, developed in the Laval region, including 575 in the riding of Chomedey, representing total investments of nearly $119 million by the governments and their partners.

The SHQ's mission is to facilitate citizens' access to appropriate housing conditions. Each year, through its various programs, the SHQ supports more than 240,000 households across Quebec. For more information on this agency's programs and services, visit www.habitation.gouv.qc.ca/english.html.