MAGOG: People living with a light intellectual deficiency and physically challenges will soon be able to carry out their dream of moving into their own place, thanks to the construction of Habitation Michel Lapierre, in Magog. Serge Cardin – Deputy of Sherbrooke riding, acknowledged the progress of the construction work already completed on this specialized residence of 8 apartments. Deputy Cardin was accompanied on his visit to the building site by municipal councilor and Pro-Mayor Natalie Bélanger and the creators of the project. The Government of Quebec and its partners have invested more than $1.1M in this project. 

“Thanks to Les Habitations Michel Lapierre, people living with a light intellectual deficiency and physically-challenges will be able to live in a veritably independent environment in this supervised housing. This project represents a sense of great pride for them and their families. I want to underline the perseverance and determination of the partners in this project who have joined forces to allow these citizens to be recognized as equals”, declared Deputy Cardin, on behalf of Sylvain Gaudreault - Minister of Municipal Affairs, Regions and Land Occupancy, Minister of Transport and Minister responsible for the SHQ.

In addition to the SHQ which authorized financial support of more than $545,000 and which has guaranteed the mortgage loan contracted by the organization, Michel Lapierre, a generous private donor, has offered to supplement the necessary funding to ensure the realization of this project. Local tradesman, however, have chosen to be discrete regarding the exact amount invested. Also noted were the financial contribution of the Caisse Desjardins du Lac-Memphrémagog to the tune of $24,000 and the contribution of la Ville de Magog in the form of a reduction in taxes, for a value of $26,000. 

“I am particularly proud of this project since it takes into account the quality of life of people who are too often left to fend for themselves. I also wish to stress that Michel Lapierre is a model for us all. He represents the breath which was needed to concretize this beautiful project. This example of generosity is an inspiration for our community”, expressed Melvyn Briant – chairman of the board of Han-Logement. 

All the tenants of the residence will benefit from the Housing Supplement Program - financial assistance intended for people with low incomes who, without this support, would spend more than 25% of their income on a place to live. This additional help represents an investment of almost $138,000 over five years - 90% by the SHQ and 10% by la Ville de Magog. 

This project also received a subsidy of almost $15,000 from the Bureau de l'efficacité et de l’innovation énergétiques du ministère des Ressources naturelles so that the buildings meet the standards of Novoclimat program. Respecting this standard, a requirement for all projects carried out within the framework of the AccèsLogis Quebec program, ensures the tenants of comfortable housing and a significant saving on heating costs.

The role of the SHQ is to support a citizen’s access to adequate housing conditions. This housing is in response to a multitude of challenges and needs experienced by Quebec society. In addition to working to preserve the health of families and seniors fighting against poverty, social exclusion and homelessness or by revitalizing districts and regions, the SHQ contributes to the improvement of the quality of life of 230,000 households each year. It also supports the creation of jobs and the development of the economy in all regions of Quebec. For this reason, the government of Quebec announced, in its recent budget, a budgetary envelope of $231 M for the construction of 3,000 affordable housing projects over the next few years.