Les Habitations Mercier: Work has Begun!

SAINT-JEAN-SUR-RICHELIEU, QUÉBEC--(Marketwired - Jan. 20, 2014) - Moderate-or low-income families in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu will soon have access to 12 affordable housing units thanks to the construction of Les Habitations Mercier complex. This project, which was recently started, will result from an investment of more than $2.4 million by the government of Canada, the government of Quebec, and community partners.

"Our government is dedicated to helping those in need. These new units are more than just safe and affordable places to live. They are the key to a better life for the families who will call them home. We remain focused on four priorities, as outlined by the Prime Minister, that Canadians care most about: their families, the safety of our streets and communities, their pride in being citizens of this country, and of course, their personal financial security," said the Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of Infrastructure, Communities and Intergovernmental Affairs, Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec and Member of Parliament for Roberval-Lac-Saint-Jean, on behalf of the Honourable Candice Bergen, Minister of State (Social Development).

"This housing project is excellent news for our region since it will allow parents and their children to live in a safe and healthy environment. Also, Les Habitations Mercier will meet the specific needs of the families by offering three- or four-bedroom units. The Government of Quebec is very proud to take part in an initiative such as this one, whose goal is to address poverty and improve the quality of life of Quebec households," mentioned Dave Turcotte, Member of the National Assembly for Saint-Jean and Deputy Government Whip, on behalf of Sylvain Gaudreault, Minister of Municipal Affairs, Regions and Land Occupancy, Minister of Transport and Minister responsible for the Société d'habitation du Québec (SHQ).

The Government of Canada, through the Agreement for Investment in Affordable Housing 2011-2014, and the Government of Quebec, under the AccèsLogis Québec program of the SHQ, jointly invested over $994,000 for the construction of this project. The community contributed a total of some $617,000, including $570,000 from the City of Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu and slightly over $35,000 from the Bureau de l'efficacité et de l'innovation énergétiques of the Ministère des Ressources naturelles et de la Faune to ensure that the building would meet the standards of the Novoclimat program. Finally, the SHQ has secured the mortgage loan taken out by the Office municipal d'habitation Haut-Richelieu, which completes the financing of the project.

Half of the tenants of Les Habitations Mercier can benefit from the Rent Supplement program, which provides financial assistance to low-income individuals who would otherwise have to spend more than 25 per cent of their income on housing. This additional financial assistance of more than $103,000 over five years is assumed by the SHQ (90 per cent) and the City (10 per cent).

Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation

The Government of Canada, through CMHC, will invest approximately $2 billion in housing this year. Of this amount, $1.7 billion will be spent in support of almost 600,000 households living in social housing. In Quebec, this represents some 127,150 households. These investments are improving the quality of life for low-income Canadians and households living in social housing, including individuals who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, seniors, persons with disabilities, recent immigrants and Aboriginal people.

To find out more about how CMHC is working to build stronger homes and communities for all Canadians, call CMHC at 1-800-668-2642 or visit www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca.

Société d'habitation du Québec

The SHQ's mission is to facilitate citizens' access to appropriate housing conditions. Housing constitutes a structured response to numerous challenges and needs of Quebec society. Whether by helping to preserve the health of families and seniors, by addressing poverty, social exclusion and homelessness or by revitalizing neighbourhoods and regions, the SHQ contributes to improving the quality of life of 230,000 households each year. The SHQ also supports job creation and the economic development of all regions of Quebec.

For more information on the programs and services offered by the SHQ, visit www.habitation.gouv.qc.ca/english.html. You may also visit Espace Habitat, a new Web magazine (in French only) that features, among other things, the benefits of the SHQ's initiatives on all of Quebec society.