Canada/$7.6 million boost for Baie-Saint-Paul: 43 new affordable housing units starting in 2026

Baie-Saint-Paul receives a $7.6 million contribution from Quebec and Ottawa for the construction of three buildings containing 43 new affordable housing units.

They will be built in the hospital's former P3 parking lot and on other land nearby. Minister Jonatan Julien confirmed the news at Baie-Saint-Paul City Hall on Friday. The stakeholders involved are hoping for a rapid start to construction, so that the first occupants can be housed in July 2026.

The municipality expects to provide $2.5 million in financing for a project valued at $13 million. The city's contribution could be in the form of initial financial assistance or a tax credit.

The financial package has yet to be completed in its entirety. As a partner in the project, CIUSSS de la Capitale-Nationale will be able to house its vulnerable users in 5 of the 43 units. This initiative will fill an enormous need for the municipality. Town councillor Annie Bouchard has been overseeing the project since 2022. She helped create the NPO Habitations de la Lumière with a team of several dedicated citizens.

"For me, it's going to change a lot of people's lives. We're going to take away some of the anxiety, and they'll be able to live well," she says proudly.

The Minister responsible for the Capitale-Nationale region praised the organization's involvement.

"Let's face it, it's a crisis, and if we're going to succeed in solving it, we have to add up our efforts, as Annie and her team have done. 43 housing units, including 3 and a half, 4 and a half and 5 and a half units that meet the needs, that's a really important gesture," he says.

For Michael Pilote, this initiative will partly fill a huge need for the municipality.

"Will we solve the housing issue? The answer is no, but it's a good step in the right direction," says Pilote.

Incidentally, there is no waiting list for the housing units in question. An announcement will come, warns Annie Bouchard. Eligibility criteria will be imposed in order to reside in these buildings.

Source: cimtchau.ca/news