Two new construction projects for 64 affordable housing units in Bas-Saint-Laurent will receive $13.17 million under the Canada-Quebec Agreement on the Rapid Housing Creation Initiative.
© Simon Turcotte/Radio-Canada
One of the projects will be at the convent of the Sisters of Notre-Dame du Saint-Rosaire in Rimouski.
According to a press release from the Quebec government, for one of the projects, Villa Rose des Vents, which will be located on the former site of the Le Havre residence in L’Isle-Verte, 20 housing units will be granted to seniors.
The other project, located at the convent of the Sœurs Notre-Dame du Saint-Rosaire, in Rimouski, will serve to create 32 housing units for seniors as well as 12 units for women and children fleeing domestic violence.
These 64 new units will improve the quality of life of many seniors and single-parent families“, declares in writing the Minister of Tourism and responsible for the Bas-Saint-Laurent, Caroline Proulx.
The MNA for Rivière-du-Loup–Témiscouata, Denis Tardif, notes that the Isle-Verte project […] will allow the population to once again enjoy a residence for the elderly without having to change their living environment».
The MNA for Rimouski, Harold LeBel, is delighted with the financial assistance allowing the realization of the project of the residence for seniors at the convent of the Sisters of Notre-Dame du Saint-Rosaire.
The announcement […] sends a good signal not only for the various interlocutors challenged by the lack of housing in Rimouski, but also for many of us who are working on the conversion of the motherhouse of the Sisters of the Holy Rosarysays Mr. LeBel.
The mayor of Rimouski, Guy Caron, believes that the 44 units will meet a crying need for social housing in the city. However, he asserts that efforts must continue to implement other social housing projects in the coming years.
The mayor of Rimouski indicates in an interview on the program Same Frequency that other aspects of the convent conversion project are underway, including the possible development of a CPE.
The Rapid Housing Initiative was launched last October by Ottawa. Funds are provided by Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), as part of the National Housing Strategy. This strategy spans 10 years, during which Canada is to invest $72 billion across the country to improve housing conditions.
CMHC released the results of its latest rental housing survey on Friday, confirming decline in housing availability in several towns in Bas-Saint-Laurent.
Although this announcement is a step in the right direction, it will not end the housing shortage, according to Alexandre Cadieux of the Bas-Saint-Laurent Housing Committee. According to him, 400 social and community housing units are needed only in Rimouski.
It’s been a long time since we’ve had an announcement. That said, it’s the 4e time you hear that announcement. The money was announced several times. These are not new announcements, we knew it was coming and it was a matter of time“, he specifies.
Housing ready for summer in Rimouski?
The Minister of Tourism and responsible for Bas-Saint-Laurent, Caroline Proulx, believes that the development of housing could be finalized by the end of summer 2022. However, the mayor of Rimouski, Guy Caron, doubts it. He recalls that the convent of the congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary is cited as a heritage building. I think it’s a process to be careful about. […] It must be ensured that all the elements of the conversion into social housing can be done according to the standards which must respect the heritage status“, he explains.