New start for Habitat for Humanity Quebec

During the pandemic, Habitat for Humanity Quebec put its activities on hold. His small team took the opportunity to review its objectives and the ways to achieve them, in order to help a greater number of low-income families become homeowners. Interview with Claire Boulanger, president of the non-profit organization’s board of directors.

Danielle Bonneau
The Press

Become better known

The international organization is still little known in Quebec, have revealed studies on the issue. “Building awareness of Habitat for Humanity and its mission is a priority in order to achieve our major goals,” said Ms.^me Baker. One of the ways to achieve this is to change the name of the two ReStore stores, located in Saint-Henri and Montreal North, to better reflect their link with the organization. It’s been done since mid-October. The businesses, essential to the funding of the organization, are now called Habitat for Humanity Store. Donations of all kinds from individuals and businesses, related to renovation and decoration, are collected and sold there.

Increase the pace

In the past, Habitat for Humanity Quebec built one house or duplex at a time, for one or two families. “It’s very slow to meet the need for affordable housing across the province, recognizes M^me Baker. We are looking for ways to house a greater number of families within a building. We are also looking to establish partnerships with promoters looking to integrate affordable housing into their project. Elsewhere in Canada, agreements are concluded with private promoters and other organizations building community and social housing, she specifies. Various formulas are under the magnifying glass, to be part of the solution.

New goals

The organization has set a conservative goal: to raise $5.3 million in the Humanity Fund, set up in September, to enable 22 new families to access homeownership by 2026. A first condominium building comprising six units should be started next spring, in Lachine. The land was acquired following lengthy discussions with the borough. A similar project is planned in Côte-des-Neiges–Notre-Dame-de-Grâce, also in 2023. Talks that began a few years ago are also about to bear fruit in a cooperative of tiny houses that is setting up in place in the Sherbrooke area. A first agreement for two tiny houses, in 2023, has been concluded, with the possibility of building others for families, who could not otherwise qualify.

Keep the way

Habitat for Humanity does this in a special way. “People buy their homes on terms that are very favorable in terms of mortgages, 0% interest and an amortization of around 30 to 35 years,” explains Ms.^me Baker. These are terms that are not found on the usual market. There is also no down payment. On the other hand, the owners must commit to doing 500 hours of voluntary work to go to the notary. It is not at all the same type of affordable housing program that we find elsewhere. »

The return of the builders

Volunteering plays an important role, whether in the stores, on the board of directors or on the construction sites, for work that does not require any certification. Companies also offer various products such as cabinets, plumbing, appliances, etc. The Builders program will return next year, when construction begins in Lachine. This is a fundraising program where teams of 5 to 10 volunteers, made up of women, come to lend a hand for a day and where participants make a donation entitling them to a tax credit. . They get a lot of satisfaction out of it, knowing that they are helping a family own their own home, says Ms.^me Baker, who has gotten her hands dirty several times in the past.