Baptized Haùsor “house” or “home” in German, this residential complex is deployed outside the conventional Quebec affordable housing program (PHAQ), often criticized in the past for its bureaucratic cumbersomeness, and is instead based on an approach described as innovative which involves the participation of several actors.
Habitations L’Équerre is hoping in particular for financial support from the City of Sherbrooke through its house program implemented in 2023. The request has already been submitted, confirmed project manager Richard Tanguay. At approximately $11.86 million for the entire complex, we’re talking about a potential contribution slightly under $30,000 per door.
Richard Tanguay, project manager for Habitations L’Équerre. (Jean Roy/La Tribune)
The Custeau Group, which more broadly leads the Masson project in which Haùsfor its part sold the land 25 to 30% below the market price. The company also shares its expertise in project development. The Équipe A architects firm, the engineering firms St-Georges and IME in addition to Construction Longer are also involved.
The “integrated” approach inspired by Vienna involves precisely bringing together all these partners towards a common objective, in a “synergy” which should make it possible to optimize costs if everyone does their part, explained Mr. Tanguay.
Off-market housing
Even unsubsidized housing will be maintained at cost price, less than in the private rental market, according to the organization. The vocation of the places will be “community” in every sense of the word, promised Ms. Godbout, who is already considering several common spaces, for example a library, gardens, play areas for the youngest or meeting spaces for the seniors, among others.
Denise Godbout, general manager of Habitations L’Équerre. (Jean Roy/La Tribune)
«Haùs will be a model to follow, proof that innovation can and must be at the service of the population and the planet,” declared the director of the organization.
The clientele targeted by Haùs is varied, including single people as well as couples or families, which therefore translates into a variety in the sizes of accommodation. We even talk about “facilities designed to facilitate the daily life of people with reduced mobility or with specific needs”. The non-profit housing organization is targeting 2027 to deliver the first units.
This component is part of the high proportion of affordable housing that the Custeau Group promised in its Masson project, where more than 800 units are planned. In addition to Haùsa cooperative component is also planned, and the rest will be private housing.
The map of the Haùs project, integrated more widely in the Masson district in Fleurimont. (Les Habitations L’Équerre)
The construction of Haùs will also have to respect high environmental standards in terms of insulation, energy efficiency and heat recovery and gray water. In fact, Habitations L’Équerre even predicts that the complex will consume only a third of the normal consumption for 400 housing units, which will considerably reduce the pressure on municipal water treatment systems, a critical issue in a sector in full swing. residential boom.
While Habitations L’Équerre is already leading several projects at the same time, the non-profit organization also announced that it has an even larger development plan in mind since it plans to generate projects in the next five years that could bring together around 925 housing units in total. . The organization is therefore launching an appeal to the City of Sherbrooke to develop a specific agreement around this strategy.
Related News :