Over $100 Million for Housing in Montréal

Agreement – Montréal – Housing

MONTRÉAL, June 12, 2018 – Lise Thériault,  Minister responsible for Consumer Protection and for Housing, announced that the city will benefit from $103.9 million this year under the terms of the Entente concernant le transfert des budgets et de la responsabilité en habitation concluded between the Ville de Montréal and the Société d’habitation du Québec (SHQ).

Under the terms of this agreement, the Ville de Montréal will receive 37% of the total budget for AccèsLogis Québec, Rénovation Québec and home adaptation programs in 2018-2019.

This financial support is intended for families, seniors or single persons with low or modest incomes. In addition to helping to revitalize neighbourhoods, it also aims to help people with special housing needs, such as homeless people, people with disabilities or victims of domestic violence.

The agreement provides for a one percentage point increase in the percentage allocated to the City of Montréal per year,  thus reaching 40% of the total amount that will be devoted to these three programs in the Québec budget in 2021-2022.

Quotes:

The agreement on the transfer of budgets and responsibility in housing offers more autonomy to the Ville de Montréal so that it can better meet the needs of its citizens in this area. These new investments will enable many Montréal households to benefit from an adequate and affordable living environment and will also contribute to reviving neighbourhoods.

– Lise Thériault, Minister responsible for Consumer Protection and for Housing and Minister responsible for the Lanaudière region

The greater flexibility granted to the city with respect to housing allows it to use the sums available according to its reality, benefiting the people who need it most and encouraging their social participation.

– Martin Coiteux, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Land Occupancy and Minister responsible for the Montréal region

Key points:

• The Entente concernant le transfert des budgets et de la responsabilité en habitation is part of “Le Réflexe Montréal” framework agreement signed on December 8, 2016.
• It gives the Ville de Montréal a special status as a Québec metropolis and gives it more flexibility in various areas, including housing.
• The Government of Québec’s Economic Plan of March 2018 provides $280.7 million for the construction and renovation of housing: $230.7 million for the construction of 3,000 social housing units in Québec under the AccèsLogis Québec program and for renovation, $25 million for the Home Adaptation Program and $25 million for the Renovation Québec program.
• Of the 3,000 dwellings announced, 300 are for the homeless or people at risk of homelessness and for those with mental disorders, and another 100 are for shelter projects for women who are victims of domestic violence.

About the Société d’habitation du Québec

The SHQ aims to meet the housing needs of the people of Québec through an integrated and sustainable approach. Its commitment to the improvement of the quality of life of many citizens, its partnerships with local communities, the range of services it provides, as well as its expertise and innovative projects make Québec a leader in housing.

In the last year, the SHQ has helped more than 231,000 households. For more information about its programs and services, for further details regarding its activities and achievements or for advice on housing, go to www.habitation.gouv.qc.ca.