Taylor Clark
LJI Reporter
The governments of Canada and Quebec announced the construction of close to 300 units in
Gatineau as the Outaouais region grapples with a severe housing crisis.
“These 300 new affordable housing units will have a significant impact on the lives of many
families and individuals in Gatineau. Of course, much work remains to be done. The challenges
are numerous,” said Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and Member of
Parliament for Gatineau Steven MacKinnon, on behalf of the Minister of Housing, Infrastructure
and Communities, Sean Fraser.
The news came as part of a national announcement on February 16 for 2,574 accelerated housing
units to be built across Quebec as part of 47 projects selected during the Société d’habitation du
Québec’s second call for projects under the Programme d’habitation abordable Québec.
Of the 47 projects, three will grace the Outaouais region. The Université du Québec en Outaouais
will see the addition of 79 student housing accommodations, Habitations de l’Outaouais
métropolitain will build 198 housing units for families, Accueil-Parrainage Outaouais intends to
create a 19-unit building for newcomers.
“The Ville de Gatineau is the second largest immigration centre in Quebec. We need to properly
welcome and support people who choose to come here to settle, and offer them a living
environment,” said Gatineau Mayor France Bélisle.
The projects will be financed through the Société d’habitation du Québec’s Programme
d’habitation abordable Québec, the federal fund to accelerate the construction of housing and at
least 40 per cent of the Société d’habitation du Québec’s base grant in municipal backing, of
which Gatineau has contributed approximately $15 million.
Through the Programme d’habitation abordable Québec, France-Élaine Duranceau, Quebec’s
Minister of Housing, said the projects will be subject to significant time constraints to get people
into homes faster.
“And, moreover, our government will contribute not only in terms of construction but will also
ensure affordability, and there will be personal assistance for tenants who are eligible,” said
Duranceau.
The rent supplement program through the Société d’habitation du Québec will allow tenants to
pay no more than 25 per cent of their income for housing.
“And this is just the first phase, because after that, there are going to be more than 8,000 housing
units,” said the national Minister of Transport and Lieutenant for Quebec Pablo Rodriquez. “This
does not include the tens of thousands of housing units that will be built, among other things,
under the various measures that have been put forward between our two levels of government.”
Bélisle said Gatineau was in the process of transforming and constantly improving. “We will do
better, I assure you. We still need a little more time, but we will certainly get there because we all
share the same goal, to provide a roof over the heads of people who need it.”
Photo caption: Gatineau Mayor France Bélisle said the city has contributed almost $15 million to
three projects under the Programme d’habitation abordable Québec.
Photo Credit: Tashi Farmilo