The Government of Canada, the Government of Quebec, the City of Montreal and the Mûrier organization have inaugurated Les Habitations des Papillons, a 23-unit social housing project built at a cost of $5.6 million.
La Maison is a home for low-income people living with mental health problems in the borough of Villeray-Saint-Michel-Parc-Extension. It is a residential service with two vocations: one for the transitional component, aimed at young adults aged 18 to 35, and the other for permanent affordable housing. In addition to providing a roof over their heads, Le Mûrier offers a range of services to residents, such as psychosocial and community follow-up, food security programs and opportunities for work experience within the organization.
Construction of Habitations des Papillons, which began in April 2022, was made possible thanks to $846,053 from the City of Montreal, as well as a $1.2 million financial contribution from the Société d'habitation du Québec (SHQ), through the AccèsLogis Montréal program. An additional $2.5 million was provided by the Government of Canada under the Canada-Quebec Agreement for the Rapid-Release Housing Initiative. In addition, the Quebec government is contributing approximately $150,000 for soil remediation.
Residents will receive a rent supplement from the Quebec government, enabling them to pay 25% of their income for housing. Resident services are financed by a recurring annual contribution of $44,000 from the Réseau de la Santé et des Services sociaux du Québec.
Quotes
"The Government of Canada continues to work with its partners, such as the Government of Quebec and the City of Montreal, to create more affordable housing that meets local priorities, including here in my riding of Papineau, where the need is great. Our contribution to the Habitations des Papillons project will enable more Montrealers, especially those in vulnerable situations, to find affordable and safe housing.
- The Honourable Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada
"Our government is making every effort to ensure that more Quebecers have access to a quality living environment. Our government's financial participation in this project is essential. It's proof that our investments in the creation of affordable housing reach all regions of Quebec and all clienteles with special needs."
- France-Élaine Duranceau, Minister responsible for Housing, Government of Québec
"We need to build more housing, faster. The federal government is working with Quebec City and Montreal to meet this challenge. Our partnership today will help ensure that more Montrealers - especially those in vulnerable situations - can have a safe and affordable home."
- The Honourable Soraya Martinez Ferrada, Minister of Tourism and MNA for Hochelaga."Providing a safe and stable home is a fundamental pillar for the well-being of people with mental health problems. I'm delighted to see this project come to fruition, as it will meet a real need in the Montreal community. Here, people with mental health problems will have access to various services adapted to their reality, including permanent social housing, as well as psychosocial and community support. I would like to thank the Mûrier organization and the Société d'habitation du Québec for supporting this wonderful initiative.
- Lionel Carmant, Minister responsible for Social Services
"It's a real pleasure to inaugurate this new home for 23 young adults living with a mental health problem, and to introduce it to the entire Montreal community. Less than two years after the building permit was issued, a new affordable living environment is taking shape. We must continue our joint efforts to build more social and adapted housing throughout the city. Montreal remains committed to finding solutions and doing everything in its power to create the winning conditions for the construction of social and affordable housing in the metropolis. I would especially like to thank the Mûrier organization for carrying out this project, which will make all the difference in the lives of these young adults."
- Valérie Plante, Mayor of Montreal
"Our administration is taking important steps to meet the needs of Montrealers, but the collaboration of all levels of government, partners and community organizations is essential. The Rapid Housing Initiative is a concrete example of collaboration that has enabled hundreds of people to find a roof over their heads, in addition to benefiting from services that are adapted to their situation in different environments in order to respond to issues throughout the territory."
- Benoit Dorais, Vice-Chairman of the Ville de Montréal Executive Committee, responsible for housing, real estate strategy, property assessment and legal affairs"It's a pleasure to see this project come to fruition after ten years of hard work by so many people involved. Our strength lies in our community, which rallies to offer a better quality of life to people who are very much affected by financial vulnerability. We hope that this living environment will offer them the dignity they deserve and the means to move forward in their recovery. For them, social housing is part of the solution.
- Alex Chayer, General Manager of Le Mûrier
About Le Mûrier
Le Mûrier is a community organization founded in 1985. Its mission is to improve people's quality of life by developing community-based services that promote their physical and psychological health and well-being. They operate mainly in the east end of the island of Montreal.Le Mûrier fights against the poverty experienced by people, and its teams help them break their isolation and support their recovery through various actions: residential and social housing services, the Fonds Accès Plein air, as well as food security and employment experimentation programs.
