Montréal,
Open letter from: Marie Depelteau-Paquette, Executive Director of the Alliance des corporations d’habitations abordables du territoire du Québec (ACHAT)
Homelessness is a direct consequence of the lack of affordable housing throughout Quebec. Beyond the human distress it causes, it entails considerable costs in emergency accommodation, health care, and social services.
This has been demonstrated by numerous studies, and organizations committed to preventing homelessness remind us with conviction that each day that passes without structural action only deepens the social divide. Although public investment is significant, it is not enough to correct the fundamental imbalances that are growing.
A shift in business.
The Alliance des corporations d’habitations abordables du territoire du Québec (ACHAT) unites social economy housing companies, including non-profit owners, managers and developers.
Our mission is to support our members and their private and government partners in seeking innovations and implementing strategies aimed at ensuring that at least 20% of the rental market is free from speculation.
We welcome the recent announcement by Montreal real estate developers Groupe Mach, Cogir Immobilier and Groupe Devimco of their intention to contribute to the construction of affordable housing and be part of the solution.
ACHAT believes that the supply of non-profit housing, shelters and transitional housing must be expanded in a structured manner to meet the full range of needs, while efforts to prevent homelessness must be intensified. The current crisis must be addressed with determination; it is a social imperative and a structural lever for the economy.
The right expertise in the right place.
While we applaud the efforts of these private developers, we would like to emphasise that expertise in community housing development and management does exist.
ACHAT can support private developers who wish to change how they collaborate with housing nonprofits, the public sector and community organisations. The time has come to develop partnership models that harness all the necessary resources to achieve the required level of production in response to the crisis.
These new forms of partnership pave the way for new prospects in the future. The answer is clear: we must join forces to create innovative, sustainable solutions that address the growing need for housing while optimising the use of existing resources and expertise.
Combined forces, shared goal.
The time has come to establish a partnership model in which each organization leverages its expertise to increase the supply of affordable housing. This requires recognizing the coexistence of private sector and social economy goals, as well as the mission of nonprofit housing organizations and return on invested capital. How?
• The public sector plays a facilitating role and utilizes tools designed for development. • The community sector and housing nonprofits provide in-depth knowledge of the issues and ensure sustainable housing management because they are rooted in their communities and close to tenants. • The private sector offers innovative solutions, financing, and performance.
These partnerships will be stronger if they are based on clear definitions of roles and commitments. Bringing together all the necessary conditions to ensure the long-term quality and affordability of housing is essential. It’s time to view nonprofit housing as genuine social infrastructure managed by a rapidly growing social economy sector.
By combining our strengths, we can establish a framework in which each stakeholder contributes to the common goal of providing accessible, high-quality, sustainable housing and breaking the cycle of homelessness.
Read article on La Presse's website