News

We were delighted to learn that the building of the shdm.org portal by the Akufen studio was awarded a Boomerang award last Thursday in the category « Website or application for a non-profit organization ».

The Boomerang Awards jury assessed, among other aspects, how the strategy met the client’s objectives creatively. Indeed, beyond design and technological prowess, the SHDM’s website was to expose visitors to the great diversity of its activities at a glance, in an environment that is fulfilling and user-friendly but yet in keeping with the corporation’s institutional image.

The redesign of our website was needed both for technological reasons, our previous platform had become outdated, and to offer a showcase that is representative of our activities and positive for the corporation.

With a completely redesigned navigation and an interactive search map for rental housing, the SHDM website provides Internet users with more comprehensive information on its activities and services with respect to affordable housing and home ownership.

The site has been designed to provide optimal ergonomics navigation adapted to all platforms, to integrate new contents and to offer an innovative search tool for housing. This custom-designed interactive tool was especially developed to locate, by borough, available rental units offered through SHDM’s various programs.

The structure was designed to help users to easily find the contents that are of interest to them. The site’s design and the use of pictures of actual SHDM properties are a reflection of the corporation’s values and they enable its clienteles to identify with the new portal.

Enjoy the site!

(Scroll down to see the photos which document the beginning of the construction of Îlot Balmoral)

This is it! The Îlot Balmoral project is underway. For several weeks now, workers are busy constructing the building’s foundation walls, which will also serve as retaining walls. Indeed, rather than opting for the conventional technique of a Berlin wall, the project team opted for the technique of the diaphragm wall.

 

What is a diaphragm wall? 

It’s a concrete wall, poured into the ground to a depth of between 16 and 18 meters, serving both as retaining wall and foundation for the building to be constructed. To cast this wall, two low walls are constructed in the ground to define the thickness of the future wall. They are used as a guide to ensure the alignment of the excavation when digging deep trenches using a specialized excavator. Throughout the excavation, the trench is immersed with bentonite slurry whose properties make it possible to stabilize the walls. Once the excavation is completed, a reinforcement cage is inserted. As concrete is gradually poured into the trench, the mud is pumped out and recovered to be reused for the excavation of the next section of the foundation. The process is repeated all around the foundation’s projected area, by sections of ten meters in length at a time.

This technique was first developed for the foundations of very large buildings. The twin towers of the World Trade Center in New York were in fact built using this technique back in 1966. Exposed after the attacks, the diaphragm walls are at the heart of the National September 11 Memorial.

When asked about this technique, Marc Tousignant, site supervisor at the SHDM, says that in a more than 30 year career, this is the first time he witnesses such a maneuver on a construction site. « It’s one of the reasons why I love my job! There are always new things to learn. Besides, I’m not the only one. Most guys on the site are all as excited to work with this type of construction. Very few buildings in Montréal have made use of diaphragm walls. « 

Marc Tousignant specifies that if the technique is much more expensive than other more conventional methods, it has many benefits and can even translate into savings on the costs of the subsequent phases of the project. For example, it enables controlling water infiltration from the ground at the perimeter of the excavation as well as stabilizing soils during excavation. With the foundation wall in place after the mass excavation is completed, building of the concrete structure can start in spring of 2016, presenting the noteworthy advantage of not having to carry out this type of work during the winter period.

We look forward to the rest of the story! Once the diaphragm walls are built, excavation and site decontamination can start. We’ll tell you more soon after New Year!

(Photo credits: Sylvie Trépanier and courtesy of SHDM)

(Photo: Jean-Pierre Racette, Director General of SHAPEM. Photo credit: Sylvie Trépanier)

The non-profit organization, Société d’habitation populaire de l’Est de Montréal (SHAPEM) is a privileged partner of the SHDM since the early 90s. In addition to managing 525 of SHDM’s rental dwellings, SHAPEM has, among other endeavours, participated in the rehabilitation of a building in the Hochelaga-Maisonneuve neighbourhood that now houses a residence of the Maison Échelon organisation and apartments for the Refuge des Jeunes de Montréal.

The building acquired by the SHDM in 1990 was in very poor condition and with the wrong kind of people going there, had a vacancy rate of about 50%. « No sensible person wanted to go and live there, » said Jean-Pierre Racette, Director General of SHAPEM. The renovation carried out by the SHDM and the partnership between the two organizations enabled, within less than five years, the revitalization of the building complex. The SHDM put her trust in us and was right in doing so” added Mr. Racette. The objectives of both partners are similar: to maintain the social diversity of Montréal’s neighbourhoods, offering quality, comfortable and affordable dwellings, but also to service the community and fight against social exclusion.

Thus, two major NPOs have settled in the building: the Maison l’Échelon in the eastern section of the building and the Refuge des Jeunes de Montréal, in the western section. For its part, Maison l’Échelon offers people with severe and persistent mental health problems 20 supervised apartments with psychosocial support, and social and educational leisure activities. Directly linked to the Agence de la santé et des Services Sociaux de Montréal, the organisation automatically takes in as residents, persons who are referred by the agency. On the other hand, the Refuge des Jeunes de Montréal provides shelter to 19 young men, in apartments with community support. Here the objective is to break the cycle of homelessness and provide tools for young people to regain their autonomy. In both cases, community spaces are available and tenants seem settled and content: « I love it here and I feel good » confided with the same words Cédric and Sylvie who respectively reside in the west and east sections of the complex.

As the owner, SHDM invests in major works. This spring, the kitchens of all the apartments were renovated and last year the wrought iron on the back of the building was completely repainted. SHAPEM, meanwhile, puts a lot of efforts into developing an innovative space for social action that residents can make their own. For Jean-Pierre Racette, the partnership with the SHDM is essential. « This way, we can join forces » he said.

The SHDM, expert in responsible property investment, is proud of this partnership which provides some housing options to two vulnerable populations in Montréal. Furthermore, SHDM congratulates the various psychosocial workers of Refuge des Jeunes de Montréal and Maison l’Échelon as well as SHAPEM’s team for their outstanding work.

About the Société d’habitation populaire de l’Est de Montréal (SHAPEM)
Established in 1988 in the Hochelaga-Maisonneuve neighbourhood, SHAPEM is a non-profit organization. Its mission is to participate in the urban revitalization of East-end Montréal, for the benefit of the community and in collaboration with economic and social agents. SHAPEM carries out housing projects and real estate projects for the local population, and provides quality housing to low- and middle-income households.

About Maison l’Échelon
Maison l’Échelon is a non-profit organization helping people with mental health problems. Its mission is to work on the quality of life of people living with mental health problems by giving them priority access to residential services.

About Refuge des Jeunes de Montréal
The Refuge des Jeunes de Montréal’s mission is to provide assistance to young men, aged 17 to 25, who are struggling and homeless and to help improve their living conditions. The Refuge des Jeunes de Montréal night shelter and referral centre in Montréal; it also offers social housing with community support.

 

 

 

(Photo: Nancy Shoiry, executive director of the SHDM and Gilles Renaud, executive director of Ateliers créatifs Montréal)

Ateliers créatifs Montréal and the Société d’habitation et de développement de Montréal (SHDM) are pleased to announce that an agreement has been signed to purchase a vacant building—located in the Borough of Mercier–Hochelaga-Maisonneuve that will be rehabilitated and converted into studios for artists and crafts workers. This creative centre will specialize in visual arts and will house members of Atelier Graff,in particular.

On September 30, the SHDM acquired a building at 3890-3910 Sainte-Catherine Est as a temporary holding and made a commitment to resell it to Ateliers créatifs Montréal within the next ten years at the acquisition price and costs. The reconversion of the building will make it possible to offer professional artists and crafts workers customized work premises that are affordable and protected from real estate speculation.

« Through all the collaborative efforts surrounding this new project by Ateliers créatifs Montréal as well as public support, we will be able to meet the need for art creation premises, with a structuring project that furthers the development of Montréal as a cultural metropolis. We applaud the role of the SHDM, which is acting as a facilitator by securing the purchase of the building, thereby contributing toward the funding synergy developed with Ville de Montréal and the Québec government in order to make the project feasible and viable, » stated Marcel Choquette, Chairman of the Board of Ateliers créatifs Montréal.

« This project of providing studios for artists is a wonderful example of what we can succeed in doing when we join forces to create genuine economic and cultural development leveraging, » pointed out Nancy Shoiry, Executive Director of the SHDM. « Purchasing a property with a deferred sale guarantee is an innovative approach that makes the most of the SHDM’s expertise in responsible real estate. It ensures the financial viability and sustainability of an artistic project that is perfectly in line with Montréal’s vision as a cultural metropolis, while contributing toward the development of a sector of the city that is rapidly being revitalized. » 

Artist Mathieu Jacques, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Atelier Graff, added: « With this centre being set up in the Borough of Mercier–Hochelaga-Maisonneuve, a sector of the city that is well known for the vitality of its community organizations, its solidarity and its sense of living together, a new chapter is beginning for us. After 50 years in Plateau Mont-Royal, Atelier Graff is proud to settle into a dynamic environment where its sustainability is guaranteed and to pursue work where prints contribute toward building bridges between creators, community stakeholders and residents. Rallying institutions around the project, such as the SHDM, the Ministère de la Culture et des Communications and Ville de Montréal, is an expression of confidence and trust as well as a vital driving force behind maintaining the activities of Atelier Graff and its presence within the cultural landscape of Montreal and Québec as a whole. »

Project figures

The SHDM purchased the building on September 30, 2015 and signed an agreement of transfer within a maximum period of ten years, at the acquisition price and costs, for a total of approximately $2,174,000. By freezing the funds required to purchase the building and by guaranteeing Ateliers créatifs Montréal a fixed selling price, the SHDM is making it possible to immediately carry out the project and is ensuring sustainability, by protecting the project from the risks of real estate speculation. This 10-year period will also give the organization the time to raise the capital needed to purchase the building, while limiting financing costs.

Moreover, the project is benefiting from the support of a number of public parties: Ateliers créatifs Montréal is receiving funding of $1.34 million from the artists’ studios fund (planned within the Montréal 2025 agreement between Ville de Montréal and the Québec government) to carry out the groundwork as well as certain leasehold improvements for the artists’ studios. Atelier Graff is receiving financial assistance of $415,914 from the Ministère de la Culture et des Communications within the agreement between the city and the Ministère concerning artists’ studios in order to finance facilities adapted to its specific needs.

About Ateliers créatifs Montréal – www.atelierscreatifs.org

Ateliers créatifs Montréal is a non-profit, real estate developer established in 2007 whose mandate is to ensure the sustainability of appropriate, safe, affordable work premises for artists, crafts workers and cultural organizations. ACM manages nearly 300,000 square feet of studio work spaces on Montréal territory as owner, main tenant or manager and meets needs for creative spaces for over 650 artists and crafts workers.

About Atelier Graff – www.graff.ca/atelier

Established in 1966, Atelier Graff is a contemporary art centre devoted to printmaking research and creation. In addition to providing its members with access to specialized expertise and facilities (silk screen printing, etching, woodcut printing, lithography, digital printing), Atelier Graff offers artists from all circles, residency and training programs promoting the professionalization of their practices. The centre’s annual membership includes over 70 active members, a number of whom regularly exhibit their work in Québec, elsewhere in Canada and outside the country.

About the SHDM – www.shdm.org

The SHDM is a non-profit, paramunicipal corporation that is financially independent, meaning that it operates without any grants or funding from Ville de Montréal. With its expertise in responsible real estate, it contributes toward Montréal’s economic and social development by promoting real estate assets of a residential, institutional, industrial, commercial and cultural nature on its territory. The SHDM is a preferred partner of Ville de Montréal in implementing its policies and reaching its objectives.

A study report on the economics and financial viability of the rental housing stock of Québec’s housing NPOs was recently published by the Réseau québécois des OSBL d’habitation (RQOH). The study was carried out largely by Allan Gaudreault, a well-known consulting analyst in the field. It aimed at identifying the needs of the NPOs in a context where the impact of the expiry of operating agreements in different public housing programs is felt and where the aging of the housing stock and the limited financial means of some NPOs remain important issues.

The study first identified the general economics and financial characteristics of the inventory of housing NPOs and analyzed the long-term financial viability of these assets. The study then examined the state of their replacement reserve to deal with problems of aging buildings. Subsequently, the study focused on the ability of the NPOs to overcome the challenges put out by the expiry of operating agreements. It also highlighted the role of housing NPOs as economic players.

The study reveals that the housing stock of Québec’s network of housing NPOs will soon reach 50,000 units and that these assets are valued at nearly five billion dollars. This network serves a diverse customer base and more than half of its tenants are receiving some form of assistance. The network has a great potential but must still face important challenges. Indeed, with the expiry of the operating agreements, a significant number of housing NPOs will face a sustainability problem.

In this regard, the study highlights the fact that this heritage is vulnerable and that the Québec network of housing NPOs would gain by developing better tools for planning and management to ensure both the sustainability of its assets and its financial autonomy. In conclusion, Mr. Gaudreault, who did both the data analysis and the drafting of the report, is in favour of increased support towards the resolution of management and sustainability issues for these organizations.

The study report can be consulted on the website of the Réseau québécois des OSBL d’habitation (RQOH).

 

 

The Société d’habitation et de développement de Montréal (SHDM) is launching a call for proposals for its Accès Condos program. 

If your are a residential property developer and own – or have a valid offer to purchase – land suitable for a residential development on the territory of the Ville de Montréal, and you have extensive experience in residential real estate development, consider submitting your project for an Accès Condos accreditation. 

Accès Condos, a program that enables you to:

• Stand out in a tightening market;
• Share the risks with a guarantee on the sale of the units;
• Work with a committed and experienced team;
• Contribute to the revitalization of Montréal’s neighbourhoods with affordable quality projects.

Much more than a program, Accès Condos offers you the advice of an experienced real estate team that truly understands the challenges of residential development including financial risks involved, zoning changes, delivery deadlines and marketing.

For questions about the call for proposals, please consult the official document on the website www.seao.ca

Leader in the field of affordable housing and home ownership, the SHDM accredits and supports the development of quality residential projects in Montréal, while contributing to the vitality of neighbourhoods. In the past 10 years, 26 agreements were signed with 17 developers, totaling 30 projects and more than 3,600 units of affordable condos in 10 boroughs of Montréal.

Documents available: AS OF SEPTEMBER 29 on www.seao.ca

Information meeting: October 7 at 2:00 PM in SHDM’s offices, 800, boulevard De Maisonneuve Est, suite 2200, Montréal QC H2L 4L8

Deadline to submit applications and qualification records: OCTOBER 27 2015