Social and community housing projects are slow to see the light of day or are completely abandoned due to delays in funding by Quebec, deplore housing NPOs who are urging the next government and opposition parties to ensure compliance with commitments. in housing.
“Almost all parties say they want to support social or affordable housing. No one is against virtue. We throw numbers at every election. […] But when the time comes to make the projects a reality, that’s when it starts to be a little more difficult, ”summed up Chantal Desjardins, executive director of the Fédération des OSBL d’habitation de Montréal (FOHM), on Wednesday.
The FOHM had summoned the media to a vacant lot in the Angus sector, in Rosemont-La Petite-Patrie, where the Loggia organization plans to build 78 social housing units, 10 of which are intended for adults with intellectual disabilities. The plans are ready, the City of Montreal has purchased the land and all that remains is to launch the call for tenders to start the construction site. Except that Loggia has been waiting for three years for the funding promised by Quebec. “How long will this land remain empty? asks Catherine Boucher, director of Loggia Community Habitations. “In the context of the housing crisis, shortage and rising rental costs and inflation, this is unacceptable. »
What also worries him is that with each passing month, construction costs increase. “The amounts that are allocated are based on costs from 5, 10 or 15 years ago,” she laments.
According to the FOHM, 29 projects in Montreal find themselves in a similar situation and are awaiting funding from Quebec. “How much longer do we have to wait? We don’t know,” asks Chantal Desjardins.
An abandoned project
For his part, Alain Rioux, director of Les Toits de Mercier, had to let go. The 91 social housing project that the organization intended to carry out in partnership with a real estate developer on land located at the corner of Sherbrooke and Aubry streets had to be abandoned because funding from Quebec never materialized despite two years of ‘waiting. “Today, unfortunately, the project is in private hands. The same apartment, which was supposed to rent for $900, will rent for $1,600. We can’t blame [aux promoteurs immobiliers]it’s the market,” lamented Mr. Rioux.
The NPOs are encouraged by the determination shown by the municipalities in the housing file. These have also obtained a right of first refusal which allows them to get their hands on land for social housing projects. “But if there is no money, the land will remain empty,” argues Chantal Desjardins.
Housing NPOs are calling on parties in the election campaign not to content themselves with making promises, but to ensure, once the election is over, that funding is granted so that social housing projects can be carried out.