Mixed housing project for independent seniors coming to Granby

Government of Canada logo (CNW Group/Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC))

Government of Québec logo (CNW Group/Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC))

GRANBY, QC, Feb. 20, 2026 /CNW/ - The governments of Canada and Quebec, in partnership with the City of Granby, the Fonds immobilier de solidarité FTQ and the Réseau bon voisinâge, officially announced a mixed housing project with 101 units for people aged 55 and over. Located at 111 Robitaille Street in Granby, the project is part of a comprehensive aging-in-place approach aimed at offering a better quality of life and greater independence for the aging population.

The new living environment stands out for its non-profit entrepreneurial model, which shields it from the speculative market. The mix of rental incomes will ensure the long-term viability and affordability of the housing:

• 74 social and affordable housing units for low- and modest-income households, 31 of which could benefit from additional financial assistance to pay their rent
  
  
• 27 units outside the speculative market, ensuring their affordability over time to meet the needs of middle-income households

The first tenants are expected to move in during spring 2027. They will have access to spaces for geriatric social services, enabling them to receive essential support directly on site. Home care and support services will be provided by the Coop Autonomie Chez-Soi, a local domestic help social economy enterprise (EÉSAD). Once construction is complete, building management and resident selection will be entrusted to the Fédération régionale des OSBL d'habitation de la Montérégie et de l'Estrie.

• The total cost of this project is $41.5 million. The project is made possible thanks to coordinated public funding. The Government of Canada is investing nearly $24.2 million, including a low-interest loan of $14.3 million and a forgivable loan of $9.9 million, both granted under the Affordable Housing Fund (AHF). The Government of Quebec is contributing $12.9 million through the Fonds de solidarité FTQ-Québec agreement. Government investments stem from the Canada-Quebec Agreement under the Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF) and new equivalent investments announced by Quebec in its 2023 and 2024 economic updates. The City of Granby is investing $6.1 million in the project, including a direct contribution of $3.65 million toward construction and a municipal tax credit over 15 years worth nearly $2.48 million.

The event was attended by Caroline Desrochers, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Housing and Infrastructure; François Bonnardel, Member of the National Assembly for Granby, on behalf of Caroline Proulx, Quebec Minister Responsible for Housing and Minister Responsible for the Status of Women; and Julie Bourdon, Mayor of Granby. They were joined by Josée Lagacé, Vice President, Communications, Marketing and Investor Relations, Fonds immobilier de solidarité FTQ, and Isabelle Richard, Executive Director, Réseau bon voisinâge.

Quotes:

"Our government is committed to helping communities develop local solutions to housing challenges. Today's announcement shows what can be done when governments work together. It's also another step in our bold and ambitious plan to build a strong Canada." 

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

"I'm delighted to see the Réseau bon voisinâge project becoming a reality here in Granby. This is a wonderful demonstration that, when we innovate and work together with our federal partner and the municipalities, we can quickly build quality, affordable living environments. The well-being of our seniors is especially important to me, and I am proud to see that this project will make a real difference by providing better housing for fully independent people aged 55 and over in an affordable, safe living environment designed to meet their needs."

Caroline Proulx, Quebec Minister Responsible for Housing and Minister Responsible for the Status of Women

"The project we are announcing today will make a real difference for seniors here in Granby. Every project like this draws us closer to the country we want to build -- a country where everyone has access to a safe and affordable place to call home." 

Caroline Desrochers, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Housing and Infrastructure

"I commend the coordinated efforts of our various partners in getting this mixed housing project for independent seniors off the ground. The universal design and affordability of the units funded by our government will give residents the best possible living environment. I'm delighted with this added resource for the seniors of Granby."

François Bonnardel, Member of the National Assembly for Granby

"Housing is a priority for our government and for me as the Member of Parliament for Estrie. Projects like the one from Réseau bon voisinâge show that when we work together, we can deliver concrete housing solutions that meet the real needs of people here. We will continue to support initiatives that allow more citizens to live with dignity, within their own community."

Louis Villeneuve, Member of Parliament for Brome-Missisquoi 

"In Granby, we are actively working to find solutions to our housing challenges. We are therefore very proud to welcome the Réseau bon voisinâge housing project, which is fully in line with our goals to develop our stock of affordable and social housing. This is excellent news for our community and a major success for our housing strategy."

Julie Bourdon, Mayor of Granby

"This project, stemming from our agreement with the government, demonstrates our teams' ability to implement rigorous and efficient management to support sponsoring organizations in rapidly delivering new social and affordable housing Residents of the first Réseau bon voisinâge project will be able to live in an environment tailored to their needs at an affordable and sustainable cost. I would like to commend the Réseau bon voisinâge team for working hard to make this project a reality."

Martin Raymond, President and CEO, Fonds immobilier de solidarité FTQ 

"At Réseau bon voisinâge, our mission is simple: together with our local and national partners, we want to build living environments that enable seniors to thrive independently. It's a labour of love, where we join forces with local stakeholders, social economy enterprises such as housing technical resource groups and social economy enterprises to meet the unique needs of each person in each region. Our greatest wish is to add heart to the bricks and mortar to provide seniors with a viable and sustainable place to call home."

Isabelle Richard, Executive Director, Réseau bon voisinâge 

Highlights:

• The building is designed to foster the health and safety of residents:
  
  
  • Universal design: The entire complex (common areas and housing units) offers a barrier-free path of travel.
    
    
  • Adaptable housing: Twenty-two units can be adapted to residents' needs, particularly in the event of a loss of autonomy or mobility.
    
    
  • Energy performance: Equipped with a heat pump system (common areas and housing units), the building will reduce energy consumption by at least 27% compared to the National Energy Code for Buildings 2015.
    
    
  • Social ties and well-being: Common areas for social interaction and spaces for geriatric social services, all under the same roof, will foster seniors' well-being and strengthen the community fabric.
    
    
• This project is made possible thanks to the support of the Entraide Habitat Estrie housing technical resource group.
  
  
• Construction has been entrusted to Tijaro Ltd., a general contractor in the Estrie region.
  
  
• The architectural plans, designed by the firm Aedifica, emphasize layouts and materials that foster the creation of a warm and welcoming housing complex with a human touch.
  
  
• Funding under the Fonds de solidarité FTQ-Québec agreement covers the 74 affordable housing units.
  
  
  • Thirty-one of these 74 households could benefit from the Société d'habitation du Québec (SHQ) Rent Supplement Program. If eligible, tenants would spend no more than 25% of their income on rent. This additional assistance is covered by the SHQ (90%) and the City of Granby (10%).
    
    
• Federal funding and municipal funding (under the Affordable Housing Fund and PALL-Granby) applies to all 101 units.
  
  
• The Réseau bon voisinâge recently obtained significant financial support to roll out its model. As part of the NHS (National Housing Strategy) Demonstration Initiative, which aims to increase housing stakeholder awareness of promising practices, as well as knowledge and scaling-up of these practices, the organization received $251,560 in corporate funding. In addition, to support its operations and the scaling up of its unique housing model, the organization received $25,000 from the Société d'habitation du Québec's Quebec Housing Industry Development Support Program. This support will help consolidate its financial model, which draws on strategic partnerships, including the delegation of professional services to technical resource groups for local development, and to local domestic help social economy enterprises for social geriatric and home support services. The goal is to ensure residents have access to essential, integrated and adaptable services that support independence, including social geriatrics and access to health care.

About the Société d'habitation du Québec

The SHQ works to meet the housing needs of Quebecers, including by increasing housing supply throughout the province for people with low or moderate incomes and for those with special needs. It supports its partners in the fields of construction and renovation, property management and home adaptation. It also provides direct financial assistance to low-income households so that they can pay their rent.

To find out more about its activities, visit www.habitation.gouv.qc.ca/english.html.

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About Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation

• Visit canada.ca/housing for the most-requested Government of Canada housing information.
  
  
• CMHC plays a critical role as a national facilitator to promote stability and sustainability in Canada's housing finance system. CMHC's mortgage insurance products support access to homeownership and the creation and maintenance of rental supply, CMHC research and data help inform housing policy. By facilitating cooperation between all levels of government and the private and non-profit sectors, CMHC contributes to advancing housing affordability, equity and climate compatibility. CMHC actively supports the Government of Canada in delivering on its commitment to make housing more affordable. Follow CMHC on X, YouTube, LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram.

About the City of Granby

Granby, the economic, social and cultural hub of Haute-Yamaska, has a population of 72,000. In 2024, the City launched its housing strategy, which is grounded in the well-being of its residents, the preservation of natural environments and the enhancement of its built and cultural heritage. To learn more, go to: https://www.granby.ca/sites/default/files/2025-11/strategie_habitation_9-oct2024.pdf

About the Fonds immobilier de solidarité FTQ

The Fonds immobilier de solidarité FTQ helps drive economic development in Quebec by partnering with industry leaders to strategically invest in profitable real estate projects. It supports the startup of projects in the residential, office, commercial, institutional and industrial sectors and prioritizes a sustainable development approach. As of June 30, 2025, it had 26 real estate projects under development or construction worth $4.1 billion, 84 buildings under asset management totalling 6,412 residential rental units and 5 million square feet of industrial land to be developed. The Fonds immobilier is a member of Bâtiment durable Québec.

About the Réseau bon voisinâge

The Réseau bon voisinâge is a community housing model designed to meet the growing needs of Quebec's aging population. It provides a diverse range of affordable housing options tailored to people aged 55 and over. This initiative is made possible through a strong partnership with social economy enterprises rooted in their communities. It's a sustainable residential offering that maximizes access to adaptable services that support independent living, without ever compromising seniors' financial well-being. Through alternative financing based on equity, rent diversity and management delegated to local businesses, the Réseau bon voisinâge aims to expand nationwide.

SOURCE Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC)

Sources: Nicolas Gravel, Press Secretary to the Quebec Minister Responsible for Housing and Minister Responsible for the Status of Women, [email protected]; Renée LeBlanc Proctor, Office of the Minister of Housing and Infrastructure, [email protected]; Information: Media Relations, Société d'habitation du Québec, [email protected]; Media Relations, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, [email protected]; Josée Lagacé, Fonds immobilier de solidarité FTQ, [email protected]