25 new student residences to be rapidly built in Rimouski

Rimouski, Quebec, February 19, 2024

Maïté Blanchette Vézina, Member of the National Assembly for Rimouski and Minister of Natural Resources and Forests, was proud to announce that the Université du Québec à Rimouski's (UQAR) student housing project has been selected as part of the Société d'habitation du Québec's second call for projects under the Programme d'habitation abordable Québec (PHAQ). As a result, 25 new housing units will be rapidly built in Rimouski.

The details of the selected project are as follows:

City: Rimouski
Name of project: Student Residences – UQAR
Project developer: UQAR
Number of housing units: 25
Benefitting population: Students
Project cost: $14.6 million

This project will be made possible thanks to the Canada-Quebec Agreement under the Housing Accelerator Fund, to which the governments of Canada and Quebec have each contributed $900 million.

Our communities are facing a housing crisis. In response to this reality, the governments of Canada and Quebec announced on February 16 that 2,574 new housing units would be rapidly built across Quebec thanks to the selection of 47 projects, including the one announced today. To ensure that these projects are started quickly, their developers must sign an agreement with a contractor within 12 months of being selected to remain eligible for government funding.

“Less than two months after signing a historic agreement with the Government of Canada, we are already set to announce the construction of additional housing units under the Programme d’habitation abordable Québec. This good news for Rimouski-Neigette shows our firm commitment to increasing the construction of affordable housing across Quebec. Every Quebecer deserves a home that meets their needs."
— France-Élaine Duranceau, Quebec Minister Responsible for Housing and Member of the National Assembly for Bertrand

“Every Quebecer deserves a safe and affordable place to call home. The Government of Canada is proud to join in the creation of 25 new affordable housing units for Rimouski–Neigette’s most vulnerable residents through the Canada-Quebec Rapid Housing Initiative Agreement and the Housing Accelerator Fund. This demonstrates our unwavering commitment to ensuring that no one is left behind.”
— The Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities

“Our government is taking concrete action to address the housing crisis in our region. Today’s announcement is the result of collaborative work. I applaud the governments that have implemented the required financial levers, our local partners and, of course, the project’s developers who believe in the value of social and affordable housing as a vector for a better quality of life in our community.”
— Maïté Blanchette Vézina, Member of the National Assembly for Rimouski, Minister of Natural Resources and Forests, Quebec Minister Responsible for the Bas-Saint-Laurent and Gaspésie–Îles-de-la-Madeleine Regions

“With the increasing enrolment of students from here and abroad, the Université du Québec à Rimouski is effectively addressing their needs by increasing the supply of affordable housing. In addition to enhancing the institution’s attractiveness, this support also focuses on students’ well-being, providing them with an environment conducive to academic excellence. This initiative is not just addressing housing needs, it is investing in the training of a diverse and skilled workforce, thus creating a thriving and vibrant student community for all. This is something our regions desperately need."
— Pascale Déry, Quebec Minister of Higher Education

“Housing is a challenging issue for many students. This financial support from the governments, combined with the generous contributions obtained through our foundation and UQAR’s student housing corporation, has helped to ensure the execution of a project that is essential for both the University and the region. It is important to be able to attract and welcome people who want to attend our university so that they can put down roots and then decide, once they graduate, to settle here and continue their professional life.”
— François Deschênes, Rector of the Université du Québec à Rimouski

Highlights:

Some of the households that move into these units could benefit from the Société d'habitation du Québec's (SHQ) Rent Supplement Program, ensuring that they spend no 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%).
To keep the other units affordable, a maintenance period for this assistance will be required. This period could last up to 35 years. Assistance rates will vary based on the term of the commitment. Rents may be indexed each year based on percentages set by the Tribunal administratif du logement.
The Programme d'habitation abordable Québec (PHAQ) aims to engage all partners who can develop affordable housing projects. Co-operatives, nonprofits, housing bureaus and private-sector businesses can submit projects under the Program. The PHAQ also aims to accelerate residential construction, which is why its standards stipulate that projects must be started within 12 months of being selected. (This period may be extended to 18 months in certain circumstances.)
The Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF) is a $4-billion Government of Canada initiative launched in March 2023 that includes $900 million earmarked for the Government of Quebec. Its goal is to accelerate the construction of 100,000 housing units across the country.
The Government of Quebec, as part of its fall economic update, also announced new investments of $900 million to accelerate housing construction.
The HAF encourages local governments to implement sustainable initiatives that lower barriers to increasing housing supply and approving development projects. Its long-term goal is to make housing more affordable for people in Canada.
On December 11, 2023, the Government of Quebec announced the first wave of 14 projects from the PHAQ's second call for projects (in French only), representing 999 units, in total.
The Government of Quebec is firmly committed to continuing its work to accelerate the construction of residential units in the province, based in particular on the Act respecting land use planning and development and other provisions. Furthermore, the government will set up an interdepartmental project acceleration group in collaboration with Quebec municipal authorities, and will also adopt new government directions on land use planning, including metrics for residential construction that cities will be required to use as a basis for setting targets. The government also intends to propose legislative amendments (which are being drafted and are subject to adoption by the National Assembly) aimed at improving urban densification, streamlining multi-unit construction approval and thus reducing the associated delays.

About the Société d’habitation du Québec

As a leader in housing, the SHQ’s mission is to meet the housing needs of Quebec citizens through its expertise and services to citizens. It does this by providing affordable and low-rent housing and offering a range of assistance programs to support the construction, renovation and adaptation of homes, as well as access to homeownership.

To find out more about its activities, visit www.habitation.gouv.qc.ca/english.html.

About Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation

As Canada’s authority on housing, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (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 all levels of Canadian government, consumers and the housing industry. CMHC’s aim is that by 2030, everyone in Canada has a home they can afford, and that meets their needs. For more information, follow us on Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn and Facebook.