From housing shortages to housing solutions
|President's Blog
July 1st marked a sad day for 384 Quebec households this year. They found themselves without a lease and in need of temporary rehousing due to a housing shortage. It’s disheartening to see that this day has become a stressful deadline for many people evicted from their homes. This reality now affects all segments of the population, from the youngest to the oldest, and I truly believe that active collaboration between all stakeholders in the real estate industry is necessary to find adequate solutions.
The housing crisis continues, and the dire situation of those without a home is an outrage: access to housing is a basic human requirement, and it’s inexcusable that we’re not doing more to address it in a society that prides itself on being progressive and compassionate.
We strongly believe that answers are within reach! But to turn them into reality, we must work together to create lasting, humane and accessible solutions. We need to address the barriers to building and renovating homes to increase the supply of high-quality, affordable housing that aligns with our shared human dignity.
Some may say that our residences don’t belong in this category. And they’re correct. Private seniors’ residences (PSR) are part of the overall housing spectrum, alongside traditional homes, senior housing cooperatives and multigenerational housing models. However, we’re engaged in discussions with all stakeholders to increase access to PSR housing. It’s essential that governments at all levels join forces to address the administrative and financial hurdles hindering progress (zoning permits, construction costs, interest rates, etc.). By working together, private companies and public institutions can accelerate development and meet the pressing needs that have become increasingly apparent.
Moreover, it’s important to note that one of the significant advantages of PSRs is that they substantially alleviate the housing shortage in the areas where they are built. This will soon be the case in Saint-Hyacinthe with the opening of the Cibèle residence: the construction of its 360 rental units will free up 360 housing spots elsewhere, stimulating the local housing market! The arrival of an PSR in a neighbourhood boosts its vitality, attracting new residents and tenants, creating jobs and revitalizing the entire area. It’s a win-win situation for everyone, and this is where our greatest contribution lies in striving the housing shortage.
Unfortunately, like many real estate companies, we have faced multiple macroeconomic hurdles in recent years that have slowed our development pace. However, the good news is that everything is aligning for us to announce new groundbreaking projects soon!
Last but not least, I must acknowledge the remarkable project spearheaded by Luc Maurice and brought to life through Mission Unitaînés, which involves constructing 1,000 social housing units across 10 municipalities. This initiative has likely caught your attention through media coverage. While it’s not a project under Le Groupe Maurice’s umbrella, we are incredibly proud of our founder’s unwavering dedication to creating ventures that embody his vision, passion and commitment to the greater good. A detailed article on this project will follow soon.
The future belongs to innovative projects such as this one, which offers solutions to the lack of affordable housing for older individuals in need. This social housing model is a beacon of hope for a brighter future, as it fosters collaboration among various government levels (municipal, provincial and federal), is scalable (it can be replicated in multiple municipalities) and is efficient (quick and cost-effective compared to similar projects).
This initiative moves me and fills me with gratitude and pride, knowing that a visionary’s boldness will help alleviate the struggles of this segment of the population. It gives me hope for a promising future. I wish that this outpouring of kindness comforts your hearts as much as mine and inspires enough optimism for other benefactors to follow suit. There’s nothing more powerful than collaboration, compassion and courage. The future belongs to kindness, mutual support and finding solutions!