So many housing units have not been built in one year for a long time in Rimouski. More than 800 units have been started in 2024 alone, according to the City. This is 16 times more than last year, unheard of in 13 years.
We went from around fifty to 800. It’s a gigantic leap. I would tell you that, among the cities of Quebec, we are among those which have the best performance, if not the best performance
says with pride Guy Caron, mayor of Rimouski.
We have to go back to 2011 to find a year when construction starts were so numerous, according to figures provided by the City. With the construction of Havre de l’Estuaire, more than 700 housing units were built.
Except that the portrait has changed over time. From 2018, the number of homes started fell, varying from 50 to 60 until 2023, recalls the mayor.
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More than 800 housing units were started this year in Rimouski, estimates the City.
Photo: - / Sébastien Ross
But how can we explain such a turnaround?
From the moment we published the plan to combat the housing shortage, developers, whether in the social or affordable sectors, or even private developers, became aware of Rimouski’s desire to be proactive.
explains Mr. Caron.
We have several projects […] for which people had heard that Rimouski would be ready to contribute. Because obviously, for social and affordable housing, it requires a municipal contribution. It can be a donation of land, a property tax credit or money.
he lists.
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Guy Caron estimates that nearly 75% of the 800 housing units started this year are “off-market”, either social or affordable. (Archive photo)
Photo : - / Francois Gagnon
Even if the number of housing starts has exploded in 2024, Rimouski is far from being out of the woods, admits Guy Caron. The elected official still estimates that 2,500 new homes will be needed for his city to regain balance.
In any case, including the Angus Group project which should start next January, more than 1,100 units will see the light of day in Rimouski.
Half of the initial objective would be achieved. We will see at the end of the construction of these units to what extent the vacancy rate will change in Rimouski
indicates the mayor.
This rate, one of the lowest in Quebec, amounts to 0.6%.
It’s a good first step [pour se sortir de la crise du logement].
After the announcements, the work
Many projects announced at the start of the year have finally come to fruition in recent months in Rimouski. Here are a few.
The one led by the Work Unit for the Implementation of Student Housing (UTILE), which plans the construction of 155 housing units on Alcide-C.-Horth Street, began last October. The future tenants, students, are expected from July 2025.
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The UTILE project which will see the light of day in Rimouski will have 155 apartments.
Photo: Courtesy of Blouin Beauchamp Architectes
On the same street, 53 units for seniors are about to see the light of day. Work has started and delivery of the project is also scheduled for next summer.
The new student residences at the University of Quebec at Rimouski, which will be able to accommodate 100 students from the next school year, are also under construction. Ultimately, the building will include 25 four-bedroom apartments.
Another project for seniors, that of 100 housing units on Corneau Street. Construction of the building, which includes six floors, began last September. The first tenants should be able to move in at the beginning of 2026.
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A 47-unit building is under construction on land located behind the congregation’s mother house.
Photo: - / Sébastien Ross
Work in the convent of the Sisters of the Holy Rosary has also been underway since June to develop 44 affordable housing units for seniors. Added to this is the construction of a building with 47 housing units for independent people aged 65 and over on land located behind the congregation’s mother house.
No sign of slowing down in 2025
The Angus Group intends to begin the first phase of its imposing real estate project in Rimouski at the start of the year. No less than 328 affordable housing units, spread across two buildings, will be built on the site of the former Cooprix. Decontamination work, which should take a few months, will be carried out in January.
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The first phase of the Angus Group project in Rimouski provides for the construction of 328 housing units.
Photo : Groupe Angus
Then Corev Immobilier, which owns the land on which the former Grande Place was located, would like to begin the construction of its 350 to 365 housing units at the end of summer 2025. But the company must first obtain the green light from the neighboring owners who have acquired rights in this area of the city center.
If the two projects materialize, up to 700 housing units could be built.
