Canada and Quebec have entered into an agreement through the Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF) that will result in the creation of tens of thousands of housing units and bring about regulatory reforms in Quebec.
Through the agreement, Canada will provide Quebec with a total contribution of $900 million, which corresponds to nearly 23 per cent of the total federal funding—the aim of which is to add at least 100,000 residential units over and above historical averages across Canada over four years.
“We’ve heard Canadians and we’re working hard to build more housing, faster,” Prime Minister Trudeau said. “The agreement announced today is historic and supports Quebec’s efforts to ensure that all Quebecers have a safe and affordable place to live. Together with our provincial and municipal partners, we will continue to cut red tape and build the safe, affordable communities that Canadians need and deserve, from coast to coast to coast.”
In its November 7 economic and financial update, the Quebec government announced that it will also invest $900 million, bringing the combined total to $1.8 billion in new funding for housing construction. This investment will directly create 8,000 social and affordable housing units, 500 of which will be earmarked for clients who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.
The Quebec government will also set up an interdepartmental project acceleration unit in co-operation with Quebec municipalities, and will adopt new government policies for land use planning, with housing construction indicators on which municipalities will have to base their targets. The province intends to propose legislative amendments to improve urban densification and facilitate the authorization of residential building construction, thus reducing related delays.
“The current housing crisis is a complex problem that is affecting many Quebecers,” said François Legault, Premier of Quebec. “I’m proud to announce, in partnership with the federal government, an $900 million agreement, free of conditions, to build more affordable housing. In this week’s economic update, we also added $900 million for housing, bringing the total combined investment to $1.8 billion. Everyone must work together to speed up housing construction, and Quebec is doing its part.”
