The governments of Canada and Quebec announced the completion of $1,398,000 in modernization work at La Maison du lac, a building that is part of the Macamic municipal housing bureau in the Abitibi-Témiscamingue region. The low-rental housing project for independent seniors is located at 92 Principale Street North, in Macamic.

The work, now completed, included the installation of an elevator to make it easier for tenants to move between the floors of the building, a former school that was converted to low-rental housing in 1982.

The financial assistance also helped renovate the units, replace the roof, repair the exterior building envelope, redesign and repave the parking lot and do work on the potable water supply system.

“This government is proud to assist in providing safe, affordable and accessible homes to Canadians,” said Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation. “The installation of an elevator at La Maison du lac, part of the Macamic municipal housing bureau is truly a victory, offering easier access and greater mobility to residents and visitors. It is through such improvements that we are able to support our communities, enhancing their contribution to housing in Canada.”

These investments come from the annual replacement, modernization and improvement (M&I) budget that is dedicated to the upgrade of Quebec’s social housing stock composed of more than 74,000 low-rental housing units.

Over the past 10 years, the funds allocated by the Société d’habitation du Québec (SHQ) and Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) to renovate low-rental housing in Quebec have more than tripled, from $103 million in 2007 to $343.4 million in 2017. For 2018, a sum of $343.4 million is again available to perform work.