This article written in french by Stéphane St-Amour was automatically translated using AI
The City of Laval is transferring, free of charge, four adjoining lots to a non-profit housing organization (NPO). These lots, located at the intersection of Boulevard des Laurentides and Rue Proulx in Pont-Viau, were acquired in recent years at a cost of $3 million.
Approved by city council at the April 2 municipal meeting, the granting of the land—via a 70-year emphyteutic lease—is conditional upon the organization securing confirmation of the necessary funding to carry out the project.
“In just a few weeks, we have announced our support for two initiatives that will help meet the growing need for affordable housing,” said Mayor Stéphane Boyer in a press release, referring to last month’s land transfer for the construction of around thirty low-rent housing units in Sainte-Rose.
Espoir Habitat
This time, the organization Espoir Habitat won the call for projects launched last fall as part of the Policy on Making Municipal Properties Available.
The NPO “intends to develop a project of approximately 87 housing units and a community room for individuals living alone and families, some of whom are part of the Black community,” according to a report by the Urban Planning Department, obtained by Courrier Laval.
To successfully carry out this project, Espoir Habitat is being supported by the social economy enterprise Bâtir son quartier and its subsidiary Gérer son quartier, both of which specialize in planning and managing affordable housing projects.
Next Steps
The next step will be to submit a funding application to the Société d’habitation du Québec (SHQ) as part of a potential call for projects under the Programme d’habitation abordable Québec (PHAQ).
In addition, the Urban Planning Department notes in its report that the NPO is also seeking complementary funding from the Affordable Housing Fund (FLA) of the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC).
The targeted area includes a significant number of vulnerable households. The report also emphasizes that this housing project, located on the main artery of Pont-Viau, is fully aligned with the Cartier Special Planning Program (PPU), which was adopted in 2022.
Housing Prices
During the adoption of the resolution, opposition city councillor Louise Lortie pointed out that the project in question is not a social housing initiative—as described in the council meeting agenda—but rather an affordable housing project.
This is an important distinction, she argued, considering that rent in fully subsidized social housing is based on 25% of the tenant’s gross income, whereas the definition of affordability in housing no longer relies on household income, but instead on the property’s market value.
According to Ms. Lortie, who reviewed the NPO’s proposal, the rent for a studio would be $817 per month, while a 5½ apartment would cost $2,050 monthly. That said, she welcomed the addition of affordable housing, which is in short supply in Laval.
Policy
In effect since 2023, the Policy on Making Municipal Properties Available for the Development of Social and Affordable Housing primarily aims to facilitate housing projects initiated by non-profit organizations (NPOs) and to ensure their long-term viability and affordability.
“In this case, the City will have covered the cost of the land—a cost that won’t be passed on through the rent,” explained Mayor Boyer in an interview, noting that higher levels of government will fund construction through various grant programs, and that management by a non-profit will also help keep these new units out of the speculative housing market.
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