79 New Affordable Housing Units That Promote the Integration of Adults With a Mild Intellectual Disability in Montreal

MONTRÉAL, QUÉBEC--(Marketwired - Nov. 25, 2016) - Les Habitations Rêvanous are celebrating today the official opening of their six-storey building in the borough of Ahuntsic-Cartierville, in Montréal. The building contains 79 affordable housing units geared in part to adults with a mild intellectual disability. The development of this project required a total investment of over $14.2 million.

The concept of Les Habitations Rêvanous is innovative and unique in the Montréal area and consists in integrating, in the same building, adults with a mild intellectual disability with a group of independent seniors.

This new type of multi-generational housing allows both groups to build beneficial relationships, in addition to providing a stimulating environment for people with a mild intellectual disability who, with some help, are ready to leave their family home and gain residential independence.

In order to create a living environment for the clients, the building offers a common kitchen, recreational spaces and meeting and training facilities. Also, work groups, composed of residents, were created to maintain the building.

The ceremony took place in the presence of the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Canadian Heritage and MP for Ahuntsic-Cartierville, on behalf of the Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, Marie Montpetit, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Health and Social Services and Member of the National Assembly for Crémazie, on behalf of Martin Coiteux, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Land Occupancy, Minister of Public Security and Minister responsible for the Montréal region, Emilie Thuillier, representative of the City of Montréal, Ahuntsic district, and Monique Bastien, Co-chair of the Commission du logement social de la Communauté métropolitaine de Montréal.

Quick facts

• Through Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) and the Société d'habitation du Québec (SHQ), the governments of Canada and Quebec provided over $5.3 million for the construction of this building, under the Investment in Affordable Housing Agreement
  
  
• Close to $148,000 was granted by the Bureau de l'efficacité et de l'innovation énergétiques of the Ministère de l'Énergie et des Ressources naturelles du Québec to ensure that the building would meet Novoclimat certification standards.
  
  
• The City of Montréal provided $1.5 million for the development of this project. This amount was repaid by the Communauté métropolitaine de Montréal (CMM) through the Fonds du logement social, to which contribute the 82 member municipalities.
  
  
• Close to $895,000 in addition financial assistance over five years, assumed by the SHQ (90 per cent) and the City of Montréal (10 per cent), enables 52 of the 79 households to benefit from the SHQ's Rental Supplement program, ensuring that they will not pay more than 25 per cent of their income on housing. The City's share is refunded by the CMM.
  
  
• The Montréal school board sold the lot where Les Habitations Rêvanous are located at a very good price.

Quotes

"Our government is proud to have worked with partners in the development of Les Habitations Rêvanous. The peace of mind that comes with having a secure and stable home is invaluable. This project in the borough of Ahuntsic-Cartierville shows us that affordable housing has a positive impact in a community and can also encourage social integration and break down isolation." - The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Canadian Heritage

"This new and unique quality living environment fosters social mix and the Government is proud to have contributed to it. With this project, seniors, low-income individuals and adults with a mild intellectual disability can benefit from affordable units in a safe environment that meets their needs." - Marie Montpetit, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Health and Social Services and Member of the National Assembly for Crémazie

Associated links

• CMHC has been helping Canadians meet their housing needs for more than 70 years. As Canada's authority on housing, CMHC contributes to the stability of the housing market and financial system, provides support for Canadians in housing need, and offers unbiased housing research and advice to Canadian governments, consumers and the housing industry. Prudent risk management, strong corporate governance and transparency are cornerstones of its operations. For more information, please call 1-800-668-2642 or visit www.cmhc.ca.
  
  
• The SHQ's mission is to facilitate citizens' access to appropriate housing conditions. Thanks to its programs and many partners, the SHQ helps more than 229,000 Quebec households. To get more information on the programs and services offered by the SHQ, to find out more about its activities and achievements or to get advice on housing, visit www.habitation.gouv.qc.ca/english.html.
  
  
• Martin Coiteux, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Land Occupancy, Minister of Public Security and Minister responsible for the Montréal region, invites social and community housing stakeholders to take part in the public consultation on the new housing approach that he intends to adopt over the coming years. To share your views, visit www.habitation.gouv.qc.ca (in French only).

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