Today, the governments of Canada and Quebec announced an innovative partnership with Mission Unitaînés to build 1,000 new social and affordable housing units for independent seniors over the next two years. Thanks to an investment of close to $235 million by both levels of government, ten 100-unit buildings will be built in ten cities across Quebec, including Shawinigan, where the announcement was made.

France-Élaine Duranceau, Quebec Minister Responsible for Housing, presented the partnership's innovative nature and significant benefits to the media, along with the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry and Member of Parliament for Saint-Maurice–Champlain, Michel Angers, Mayor of Shawinigan, Caroline Sauriol, President and Chief Executive Officer of Mission Unitaînés, and Mario Plourde, Director of the Office municipal d'habitation de Shawinigan.

An innovative, multi-party partnership

The government funding is tied to the $900 million in federal funding provided to Quebec through the Canada-Quebec agreement under the Housing Accelerator Fund and the new $900-million investments announced by Quebec in its fall 2023 economic update.

The contribution of each municipality involved in one of the construction projects amounts to between $3 and $5 million, either in kind or in the form of a subsidy. This includes the transfer of land ready to build on, a three-year tax exemption starting on the transfer date of the land with the building and a building permit (or equivalent subsidies) and utility connections.

The charitable organization Mission Unitaînés will be responsible for designing and developing the ten buildings. At completion, the organization will provide the municipality, or a non-profit organization designated by the municipality, with a building ready for commissioning for a nominal fee and no mortgage. In addition, each building will have a $500,000 reserve fund from a philanthropic donation by Luc Maurice, Chair of the Board of Directors of Mission Unitaînés. Other partners will complement the funding with philanthropic contributions to enhance the residents' quality of life.

Thanks in part to economies of scale and the partners' expertise, this new model has the advantage of creating 1,000 units at a lower cost than the units the Société d'habitation du Québec (SHQ) is currently building in several Quebec regions. It also ensures that buildings will be debt-free.

Construction to start this summer in Shawinigan

The six-storey building to be built in Shawinigan represents a government investment of $23.5 million, in addition to the City of Shawinigan's contribution, which is offering the land and a tax holiday, as well as a philanthropic donation to complete the financing package. Construction should start in July 2024 and be completed by spring 2026. Upon its completion, the Office municipal d'habitation de Shawinigan will manage the building and select the residents. The Office will also ensure maintenance of the building using the $500,000 reserve fund provided by Mission Unitaînés.

The building will include 74 one-bedroom units, 15 bachelor units and 11 two-bedroom units. Equipped with two elevators, sprinklers and a scooter parking area, it will also include a multi-purpose common room, an outdoor patio and landscaping to foster the socialization of residents. The rent will be set at about $595 for a bachelor unit and $900 for a two-bedroom unit.

Highlights:

• Seniors who settle in these units and are eligible will benefit from the SHQ's Rent Supplement Program, which would ensure that they do not spend more than 25% of their income on housing. This additional assistance is covered by the SHQ (90%) and the city where the project is located (10%).
• The financial model was designed to offer long-term housing units where the rent will be equivalent to 25% of the residents' income. The average rent is set at $595 per month for a one-bedroom apartment with heating, electricity and Wi-Fi included. Rent increases will be limited by agreements with the SHQ to maintain affordability in the years to come.