Canada and Quebec partner to deliver hundreds of new affordable, supportive and transitional homes across Quebec

QUÉBEC CITY, April 2, 2026 /CNW/ - Just two months after confirming the signing a memorandum of understanding related to the deployment of Build Canada Homes funding, the Governments of Canada and Québec are partnering to deliver nearly 865 new affordable homes across Quebec, representing a total investment of $200 million.

The announcement was made by the Honourable Gregor Robertson, Minister of Housing and Infrastructure and Minister responsible for Pacific Economic Development Canada, and by Caroline Proulx, Quebec Minister responsible for Housing and Minister responsible for the Status of Women. The partners took advantage of their presence in Québec City to confirm funding for the Îlôt Saint-Vincent-de-Paul project, one of the first projects to move forward under this partnership.

This announcement includes 14 supportive and transitional housing projects, which will create just over 390 homes for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness, people who have experienced domestic violence, people with disabilities, and individuals with complex mental‑health needs.

The implementation of these projects is supported by joint funding from both orders of government. Build Canada Homes will provide approximately $65 million in capital costs, while Quebec will contribute up to an additional $65 million. Quebec will also provide funding to support operating costs required to maintain services and will work with community partners to ensure long‑term supports are in place.

It also advances four affordable housing projects, which will create nearly 475 homes supported by an equal contribution of approximately $35 million from the Government of Canada and the Government of Quebec.

Quotes:

"Today's announcement reflects what Canadians expect from us: real progress, delivered quickly. By working in partnership with Quebec and community partners, we are accelerating the construction of both affordable and supportive and transitional homes for people who need them most. These investments will give hundreds of Quebecers a safe, stable place to live, while helping communities respond to the housing pressures they're facing right now."

-- The Honourable Gregor Robertson, Minister of Housing and Infrastructure and Minister responsible for Pacific Economic Development Canada

"The Quebec government is committed to accelerating the construction of social and affordable housing. Today's announcement shows that we can move quickly and responsibly on projects while maintaining our decision‑making authority in a field under our jurisdiction. A little over a month after agreeing on a project selection mechanism, we are now able to move forward with the construction of 865 homes for diverse clienteles. I am very proud of our ability to deploy these investments rapidly for the benefit of Quebec households."  

-- Caroline Proulx, Minister responsible for Housing and Minister responsible for the Status of Women

"This is a moment of great pride for our community. Thanks to the leadership of the Government of Canada and its partnership with the Government of Quebec and the City of Québec, the Îlot Saint‑Vincent‑de‑Paul project is among the very first Build Canada Homes initiatives to be realized in the country. After nearly four decades, this strategic site at the gateway to Old Québec--a UNESCO World Heritage treasure--will no longer stand vacant, but will become a dynamic and inclusive living environment for residents of Saint‑Jean‑Baptiste. Thank you and congratulations to all the citizens and community groups who mobilized over the years to make this success possible."

-- The Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Member of Parliament for Québec-Centre

"Today, we are witnessing a historic moment. The Îlot Saint‑Vincent‑de‑Paul project will bring new life to a site that has stood vacant for nearly 40 years. It is a major victory for the residents of Saint‑Jean‑Baptiste, who have been calling for decades for this site to be returned to the community. It is also another concrete demonstration of our commitment to authorize the construction of 500 social housing units every year."

-- Bruno Marchand, Mayor of Québec

"Build Canada Homes was created to finance, build and industrialize affordable housing at scale. This partnership with Quebec demonstrates what is possible when federal and provincial governments align with community organizations around a shared commitment to housing the most vulnerable. Together, we are supporting projects that will provide safe, stable homes for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness, and those living with complex needs. This is the kind of collaboration our mandate was built for."

-- Ana Bailão, Chief Executive Officer, Build Canada Homes

"The Société d'habitation du Québec is proud to play an important role in implementing the tools introduced by governments to increase the supply of social and affordable housing in Quebec. We will work to ensure that these investments quickly translate into new homes ready to welcome households in need."

-- Jean Martel, President and CEO, Société d'habitation du Québec

"Thanks to strong community engagement, a shared vision, and the essential support of our partners, the Patrotôt project is becoming a reality. It will offer a dignified and inclusive living environment in the historic heart of the city. Since its creation, La Bouée has played a leading role in creating humane and sustainable living environments. Patrotôt is a magnificent expression of that commitment."

-- Robert Verret, President of La Bouée

Quick facts

• Launched on September 14, 2025, Build Canada Homes is Canada's new federal agency dedicated to building and financing affordable housing at scale.
• In January 2026, Canada and Quebec signed a memorandum of understanding to guide the deployment of Build Canada Homes across Quebec. As part of this agreement, both governments established a Joint Collaboration Table to coordinate funding, streamline approval processes, and improve alignment between federal, provincial, municipal, and community partners.
• Affordable housing projects announced today that are delivered under Quebec's Programme d'habitation abordable Québec (PHAQ) are supported by federal funding through Build Canada Homes. These projects also align with commitments under the Canada–Quebec Agreement on the Housing Accelerator Fund, as well as equivalent new investments announced by Quebec in its 2023 and 2024 economic updates.
• Îlot Saint-‑Vincent-de-Paul, located in Québec City, is the first project confirmed under this partnership. The project represents a total investment of approximately $55.7 million, made possible through contributions from multiple federal, provincial, municipal, and community partners.
• La Bouée Société Acheteuse de Préservation et de Développement de l'Habitat Communautaire will coordinate delivery of the Îlot Saint-Vincent-de-Paul project. La Bouée holds qualified developer status with the Société d'habitation du Québec, which provides significant administrative streamlining when applying for funding for the construction of affordable housing.
• On February 5, 2026, the Government of Canada introduced the Build Canada Homes Act, legislation that will establish Build Canada Homes as a Crown corporation whose mandate will be dedicated to building affordable housing in communities across the country.
• Federal funding is subject to a signed financial agreement, and provincial funding will proceed following Quebec's standard approval processes.

Associated links

Build Canada Homes
Programme d'habitation abordable Québec
Ottawa and Quebec join forces to accelerate housing an infrastructure constructions across Quebec
Prime Minister launches Build Canada Homes to supercharge homebuilding across the country

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SOURCE Department of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities

Contacts: For more information (media only), please contact: Renée LeBlanc Proctor, Senior Communications Advisor and Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities and Minister responsible for Pacific Economic Development Canada, [email protected]; Nicolas Gravel, Press Secretary, Minister responsible for Housing and Minister responsible for the Status of Women, [email protected]; Media Relations, Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada, 613-960-9251, Toll free: 1-877-250-7154, Email: [email protected]; Media Relations, Société d'habitation du Québec, [email protected]