Launch of a Housing Project at the Centre Mechtilde in Gatineau

GATINEAU, QUEBEC--(Marketwired - June 5, 2017) - Supported by the governments of Canada and Quebec, the Centre Mechtilde can move forward with its community housing project in the Hull sector of Gatineau. This project, estimated at more than $7.6 million, will add 31 affordable transitional housing units for women facing homelessness and single mothers experiencing family violence.

This project received $2.1 million in funding from the governments of Canada and Quebec under the Investment in Affordable Housing Agreement. The City of Gatineau also participated in the project by providing a financial contribution of over $630,000. The Centre Mechtilde, for its part, took out a mortgage of more than $5.2 million, which is secured by the Société d'habitation du Québec (SHQ).

The announcement was made today by Greg Fergus, Member of Parliament for Hull-Aylmer, on behalf of the Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), along with Maryse Gaudreault, Second Vice-President of the National Assembly and Member for Hull, on behalf of Martin Coiteux, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Land Occupancy, Minister of Public Security and Minister responsible for the Montréal region. They were accompanied by Maxime Pedneaud-Jobin, Mayor of Gatineau, and Lise Duguay, Chair of the Board of Directors of the Centre Mechtilde.

Quotes

"Our government is proud to have worked in partnership on the development of the Centre Mechtilde in Gatineau. Affordable housing provides much more than a roof over someone's head; it improves the quality of life of the residents and contributes to the well-being of the whole community. Our investments help Canadians build better lives for themselves, their families and their children and also contribute to the prosperity of our country." - Greg Fergus, Member of Parliament for Hull-Aylmer

"This significant project, once completed, will meet a need that has been expressed by the Centre Mechtilde. These new housing units will have a positive impact on the lives of these women and their children. In fact, they will benefit from a safe and warm environment that will help them in their journey toward independence and wellness. That's why the government is proud to be contributing to this great initiative." - Maryse Gaudreault, Second Vice-President of the National Assembly and Member for Hull, on behalf of Martin Coiteux, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Land Occupancy, Minister of Public Security and Minister responsible for the Montréal region

"The City of Gatineau is very proud of the announcement made today and of the partnership that makes this achievement possible. We must remember that affordable housing is an important tool in the fight against poverty in our communities. These investments meet a need that is important both to the people of Gatineau and to our entire community." - Maxime Pedneaud-Jobin, Mayor of Gatineau

"This increased supply of transitional housing units in the area will facilitate the social reintegration of vulnerable women in difficulty. We can now start offering a broader range of services promoting the emergence of new opportunities and greater economic independence for these women." - Lise Duguay, Chair of the Board of Directors of the Centre Mechtilde

Highlights

• The conversion of the former Saint-Paul elementary school, located on Laramée Street, will be completed in late fall 2017.
  
  
• The tenants of the 31 new units will benefit from the Rent Supplement program, which will allow them to pay a rent corresponding to 25% of their income. This additional financial assistance of nearly $534,000 over five years will be assumed by the SHQ (90%) and the City of Gatineau (10%).
  
  
• Since its creation in 1979, the Centre Mechtilde has expanded its services in the Hull sector in order to better meet the needs of women who are victims of conjugal or family violence and at risk of homelessness as well as their children. Thanks to this investment, the organization will soon be able to add 31 transitional housing units to the 14 existing shelter spaces.

Associated links

• CMHC has been helping Canadians meet their housing needs for more than 70 years. As Canada's authority on housing, 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 Canadian governments, consumers and the housing industry. Prudent risk management, strong corporate governance and transparency are cornerstones of its operations. For more information, please call 1-800-668-2642 or visit www.cmhc.ca.
  
  
• The SHQ's mission is to facilitate citizens' access to appropriate housing conditions. Thanks to its programs and many partners, the SHQ helps more than 229,000 Quebec households. To get more information on the programs and services offered by the SHQ, to find out more about its activities and achievements or to get advice on housing, visit www.habitation.gouv.qc.ca/english.html.

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