The City of Quebec paid $500,000 to acquire two lots that belonged to the Augustinian sisters with the aim of developing a social housing project, a crying need in the Saint-Sauveur district.
The two lots (see map below) are located next to each other on the Augustines estate of the Hôtel-Dieu du Sacré-Cœur, on Avenue Sacré-Cœur.
The City of Quebec purchased two lots belonging to the Augustines of the Hôtel-Dieu du Sacré-Cœur, in Saint-Sauveur. The total cost of the operation amounts to $500,000, while the two lots are worth more than $2.5 million, according to the municipal assessment.
Screenshot of Quebec land registry
The first of the two lots is vacant land. The municipal administration purchased it on September 19 at a cost of $500,000. The second is occupied by the Le Tourne-Sol community garden and was given free of charge to the City. In total, the two properties are valued at more than $2.5 million, according to the deed of sale.
“It is a priority in the sector to develop affordable housing,” says Saint-Roch–Saint-Sauveur municipal councilor Pierre-Luc Lachance. As soon as we knew there was interest in selling, we were definitely interested, because there aren’t 50 lots like that.”
The municipal councilor of Saint-Roch–Saint-Sauveur, Pierre-Luc Lachance, is delighted with the acquisition of these two lands by the City because they will be used in its desire to develop more social housing to combat the current crisis.
Photo d’archives
Although he is not able to give a precise timetable, the vice-president of the executive committee maintains that the Office municipal d’habitation de Québec (OMHQ) “is already working on an upcoming project at this location”.
Private: out of the question
For the Augustines of the Hôtel-Dieu du Sacré-Cœur and their sister superior, Lili Richard, it was “out of the question” to part with these two lands by selling them to a developer.
“We want to give back to the community and promote access to housing for the most disadvantaged. It would have been completely against our values to let, for example, luxury condos be built there.”
The vacant land should accommodate a social housing project in the coming years.
Photo STEVENS LEBLANC
Asked why the sale price is so much lower than the land value, the Sister Superior explains that her congregation wanted to “simply get rid of it”.
The garden will remain a garden
If low-rent housing were to emerge on one of the two lots, the other will keep the same use, underline the two parties.
“The Le Tourne-Sol community garden is one of the oldest in Quebec and there is no question that it will be dismantled. It was part of our conditions,” says Sr Richard.
In the deed of sale, however, we can read that “the City may dispose of the said building at its discretion if it is no longer required.” Pierre-Luc Lachance assures that the City’s intention is indeed to preserve the community garden.
“There are no others in the sector and it is important to offer this service to citizens. Responsibility for maintenance remains that of the management committee already in place.”
