Minister Kateri Champagne Jourdain confirmed this Monday the financing of the construction of a new block of 60 affordable housing units in Sept-Îles. The partners carried out a first shoveling of earth on Comeau Street this morning. Submitted last March, this is the project that came to fruition most quickly in the history of the Société d’Habitation du Québec.
The president of the City Housing committee, Guy Berthe, was very satisfied with the collaboration of the SHQ, the Société du Plan Nord and the Government of Canada to act quickly. The building will cost $25M. Contractor LFG will begin work at the beginning of August to deliver the block of 60 housing units in October 2025.
Partners believed in it
To speed up the process, the Municipal Housing Office of Sept-Îles is fully reproducing the plans for the 60-unit building at 830 Doucet built in 2017. The Minister of Employment, responsible for the region and Member of Parliament for Duplessis, underlined the sustained efforts of the community to complete this project so quickly. His government announced, in 1 year, the construction of 168 affordable housing units in Baie-Comeau, Fermont and Sept-Îles.
She says she is aware of the importance of the housing issue in attracting workers and their families. “This achievement reflects the dedication we have had, at our level, that of the City, the project promoter, Sept-Îles Economic Development and the community, for this major project” comments Kateri Champagne Jourdain .
Funding
A Sept-Îles Economic Development study which concluded that there is a shortage of 700 housing units in the city was at the origin of the approach of the OMH CORELO committee, explained president Guy Berthe. The building will be erected near the CPE Nid d’hirondelle on Comeau Street.
The governments of Quebec and Ottawa jointly finance the SHQ’s Quebec Affordable Housing Program (PHAQ). This program provides $14M and the Plan Nord $4.7M for the construction of 60 housing units in Sept-Îles. The City will provide approximately 40% of the amount paid by the SHQ in services and money.
“Given the significant challenges we are experiencing in Sept-Îles in terms of housing, these new units will help to improve the housing supply, and thus meet the needs of Sept-Îles residents for affordable, quality housing,” declared the Mayor Denis Miousse
