New social-housing unit a ‘template’: MNA

BY MARC LALONDE

The Chronicle

The West Island will be home to more social housing in the future as the population continues to age, and communities will have to continue to work together to build and manage the units, Marquette MNA François Ouimet said at a news conference last Friday afternoon in Dorval.

Ouimet was on hand to officially inaugurate the Maison Donalda-Boyer, located on Dorval Avenue near the shores of Lake St. Louis — a 76-unit social-housing project. The building, which houses seniors in studio, three-and-a-half and four-and-a-half-room units, was complete in April; construction costs were covered by grants from the federal and provincial governments as well as from the agglomeration council. The total? $10.8 million. Nine million dollars and change came from federal and provincial subsidies, while $1.2 million came from the agglomeration council and the rest filled in the by the city of Dorval.

“This is a template,� Ouimet said. “The government has set an objective of 20,000 social-housing units and we've committed $73 million to social housing since we were elected in 2003,� he said. “Clearly, this residence responds to a need, and these people have contributed so much to society. The need will only get stronger as the population continues to age.�

The template refers to the residence's administrative council, led by former Dorval city councillor Emile Lacoste, which co-ordinates and administrates the centre and lobbied actively for the project’s funding prior to construction beginning last year.

NDG/Lachine MP Marlene Jennings, whose riding includes the new residence, said the need for affordable social housing for senior citizens and other vulnerable populations is growing and will continue to grow.

“This is a model for anyone that wishes to come forward and say ‘we need social housing.’ Whether it’s seniors, single moms with kids, people with an intellectual disability or physical one. There’s a growing need for affordable housing for all people,� she said.

Dorval Mayor Edgar Rouleau said the Maison Donalda-Boyer — named for a nurse who helped along the births many of today's Dorval residents — will serve as a final place of comfort for many Dorval residents who need to live in a semi-autonomous home.

“Now, we have a place where Dorval residents can go where they can stay in Dorval longer and have a safe place to live,� he said.

Rent on a three-and-a-half-room unit goes for $827 a month, with all meals included. Each unit also includes a full kitchen and fully-equipped washrooms in addition to the well-appointed living quarters.

Resident Brenda Demers, 91, said she has lived in the residence since early summer, and has loved every minute of it.

“It’s a great place. I couldn’t have chosen a better place to come live. The people are friendly and the building is beautiful. What more could you ask for?