Governments of Canada and Quebec Open the Rebatir La Piaule Project

VAL-D'OR, QUEBEC--(Marketwired - Sept. 30, 2013) - As a result of the joint investments of the governments of Canada and Quebec, the City of Val-d'Or and their local partners, people in difficulty and homeless people, now have access to a 22-room shelter.

The Rebâtir La Piaule project, the construction of which required a total investment of more than $2.6 million, was officially opened today by Senator Ghislain Maltais, on behalf of the Honourable Candice Bergen, Minister of State (Social Development), and Élizabeth Larouche, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Member of the National Assembly for Abitibi-Est, on behalf of Sylvain Gaudreault, Minister of Municipal Affairs, Regions and Land Occupancy, Minister of Transport and Minister responsible for the Société d'habitation du Québec (SHQ).

The Government of Canada, through the Shelter Enhancement Program, and the Government of Quebec, under the AccèsLogis Québec program of the SHQ, jointly invested close to $2.1 million for the development of this project. The community contributed a total of more than $610,000, including close to $340,000 from the City of Val-d'Or. The project also received a grant of nearly $44,000 by Employment and Social Development Canada under the Homelessness Partnering Strategy.

"Our government recognizes the need to provide people at risk for homelessness with a safe place during crisis situations. By providing this funding to Rebâtir La Piaule, we are providing access to safe and affordable housing for all residents in need. As mentioned by the Prime Minister, our government remains focused on four priorities that Canadians care most about: their families, the safety of our streets and communities, their pride in being citizens of this country, and of course, their personal financial security," said Senator Maltais.

"Since it opened 25 years ago, thousands of people in need have found shelter at La Piaule de Val-d'Or and have benefitted from the support of the organization. It was therefore only natural for the Government of Quebec to give a helping hand to this organization and support its reconstruction project. The new building, which is far more spacious, can accommodate and assist a greater number of people and provide decent housing conditions to occupants throughout the year," said Minister Élizabeth Larouche.

La Piaule de Val-d'Or is a non-profit community organization that provides room and board for short stays to homeless individuals and needy people experiencing emergency situations or dealing with addiction problems. The organization also offers support, assistance and counselling to promote the social reintegration or recovery of its clients.

Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation

The Government of Canada, through CMHC, will invest approximately $2 billion in housing this year. Of this amount, $1.7 billion will be spent in support of almost 594,000 households living in social housing. In Quebec, this represents some 127,150 households. These investments are improving the quality of life for low-income Canadians and households living in social housing, including individuals who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, seniors, persons with disabilities, recent immigrants and Aboriginal people.

To find out more about how CMHC is working to build stronger homes and communities for all Canadians, call CMHC at 1-800-668-2642 or visit www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca.

Société d'habitation du Québec

The SHQ's mission is to facilitate citizens' access to appropriate housing conditions. Housing constitutes a structured response to numerous challenges and needs of Quebec society. Whether by helping to preserve the health of families and seniors, by addressing poverty, social exclusion and homelessness or by revitalizing neighbourhoods and regions, the Société d'habitation du Québec contributes to improving the quality of life of 230,000 households each year. The SHQ also supports job creation and the economic development of all regions of Quebec.

For more information on the programs and services offered by the SHQ, visit www.habitation.gouv.qc.ca. You may also visit Espace Habitat, the SHQ's Web magazine (in French only) that features, among other things, the benefits of this agency's initiatives on all of Quebec society.