The governments of Quebec, the government of Canada and the City of Saint-Amable are proud to celebrate the ground breaking of the Villa MASA project, a 40-unit social and affordable housing complex for seniors with a slight loss of autonomy. Construction of this building represents an investment of just over $22 million.

The Government of Quebec is allocating more than $9.4 million to this project through the AccèsLogis Québec program of the Société d'habitation du Québec (SHQ), along with funding from tripartite financing agreements. The SHQ also guarantees the mortgage loan contracted by the organization. The Government of Canada has invested more than $8.1 million through the third Canada-Quebec agreement on the Rapid Housing Initiative. For its part, the Town of Saint-Amable has added over $928,000 to these investments.

The Government of Quebec has provided $4.2 million for the project through the Société d'habitation du Québec (SHQ). The Government of Canada, via Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, has invested nearly $383,000 through the Canada-Quebec Rapid Housing Initiative Agreement. For its part, the City of Montréal allocated nearly $170,000, which was reimbursed by the envelopes of the tripartite agreements that the City signed with the SHQ and the Ministère des Affaires municipales et de l'Habitation.

Located in the heart of downtown Saint-Amable, the residence will offer units adapted for people with reduced mobility and will be equipped with an elevator. The building will feature open-plan living spaces, and each unit will have a functional kitchen, a full bathroom with laundry facilities, and a private balcony. Tenants will be within walking distance of services and amenities, and will be able to benefit from the Quebec Rent Supplement Program, which limits rents to 25% of income.

Highlights:

• Launched in 2020, the Rapid Housing Initiative (RHI) is delivered by the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC). Consult the official page of the third round of the Rapid Housing Initiative (RHI) for more details.
• The third phase of RHI has exceeded its initial target of creating at least 4,500 affordable housing units for people in core housing need across the country. More than 5,200 units are expected to be built across Canada.
• A total of more than 15,500 units are expected to be created with the support of RHI.
• Up to 32 households occupying the new building will be able to benefit from the SHQ's Quebec Rent Supplement Program, which will enable them to pay 25% of their income towards housing. This additional assistance, totaling nearly $550,000 over five years, is paid 90% by the SHQ and 10% by the City of Saint-Amable.