News

To continue our efforts with respect to sustainable development and saving paper, the 2012 Annual Report of the SHDM is presented exclusively in an electronic format and is made available to the public at www.shdm.org/en/about/official-publications/. It can be viewed online or downloaded at your convenience. For easier reading, the document has been configured for dynamic consultation, so it is easy to navigate from one section to another by clicking on the menus shown in the table of contents, in section headers or at the bottom of the pages.

The publication of our financial statements gives us the opportunity to review the past year and assess whether objectives have been achieved. It also allows us to draw lessons for the future, which will be all the more valuable as the SHDM is preparing its 2014-2016 strategic plan.

The SHDM’s achievements in 2012 once again demonstrate its ability to fulfill its mission by centering its activities on four major objectives:

• Maintain a supply of affordable and quality rental housing, in a context where the SHDM must continue to directly subsidize its less affluent tenants despite the fact that many buildings are no longer eligible for the financial contribution of the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), and despite the fact that significant investments are needed to maintain and upgrade its rental housing stock.
• Facilitate home ownership and contribute to the revitalization of neighbourhoods in Montréal, by developing innovative solutions to encourage families to stay in Montréal at a time when the real estate market is rapidly changing.
• Promote the economic and cultural development of Montréal by contributing to structuring urban development projects that enhance the quality, diversity and dynamism of living environments.
• Update the governance and management of the organization, focusing on process transparency and accountability of decisions, as well as an integrated approach to risk management.

From a strictly financial perspective, the analysis of the 2012 results confirms that the SHDM continues to demonstrate responsible and prudent management that allows it to address future challenges with confidence, despite an uncertain economic reality.

You can access the document (in French only) by clicking HERE.

Please read on!

La Fabrique 125, a residential project accredited by the Société d’habitation et de développement de Montréal (SHDM) and located in the heart of the fashion and design district, at the corner of Chabanel Street and avenue de Esplanade, ranked among the three finalists in the Innovation category for the 2103 Real Estate Awards of Excellence granted by the Urban Development Institute of Québec (UDI).

La Fabrique 125 is definitely a unique and bold project, a catalyst for the revitalization of this neighborhood and a testimony to the past of the clothing manufacturing industry. By focusing on the recycling and the enhancement of the architecture of this large-area building to create New York style residential lofts, the SHDM made ??the daring wager of incorporating its goals of affordability, homeownership and urban revitalization into an innovative project where art, design and creativity are showcased.

Johanne Goulet, Executive Director of the SHDM, paid tribute to the excellent work of La Fabrique 125 promoter, 125 Chabanel Holdings inc. (Groupe Dayan), and its team of professionals consisting of design, architectural and engineering firms, including Humà Design + Architecture, Formee Studio, WorkShop Architecture, Dupras Ledoux Ing., DL Turner consultants Inc. and builder Gerpro Construction.

« By implementing innovative development projects, such as La Fabrique 125, the SHDM plays its true role as a catalyst vehicle for urban revitalization and improvement of living environments, » she said.

It is worth noting that this is not the first time that the SHDM has been honored by the UDI. In 2009, the SHDM received the Real Estate Award of Excellence –Residential category component for Accès Condos, its unique formula of access to home ownership.

To visit the project look for La Fabrique 125, on the Accès Condos website or contact the sales office located at 9315 avenue de l’Esplanade (514 388-9090).

On March 13, the borough council of Villeray–Saint-Michel–Parc-Extension approved the lease between the Ville de Montréal and the Société d’habitation et de développement de Montréal (SHDM) for the ground floor of Centre Jean-Marie Gauvreau, located at 911, rue Jean-Talon Est. This is great news because this agreement will allow for the planned establishment of a long-awaited new maison de la culture.

The centre is managed by the SHDM and currently houses 85 tenants working mainly in the field of the arts. These artists can therefore enjoy a cultural venue at the very heart of their creative spaces. Moreover, « the SHDM is very proud to contribute to the cultural development of Montréal by signing an agreement that is beneficial for the borough, and by leveraging its expertise in property management, including the coordination of all the steps needed to transform this place into a maison de la culture, » says Johanne Goulet, Executive Director of the SHDM.

The refurbishment work should start in late fall 2013 and the borough plans to inaugurate its cultural centre in the fall of 2014.

For more information, please see the press release (in French only) published by the Villeray— Saint-Michel—Parc-Extension borough.

Montréal, Thursday, March 7, 2013 –The Société d’habitation et de développement de Montréal (SHDM) has authorized the transfer of the development for Phase IV of Faubourg Contrecœur from Construction F. Catania & Associés to Développement Faubourg Contrecœur. This company dedicated to the project was created by shareholders of Constructions Devlor Inc., which will act as general contractor.

To get the green light from the SHDM, the two developers had to offer guarantees on the completion of the project in compliance with all the conditions of the original agreement in order to protect the rights of current and future buyers. The 128 residential units that are planned will therefore be built according to the quality criteria that were established and in line with the prices that had been set. In addition, the transfer conditions were confirmed, including evidence of commitments vis-à-vis suppliers and financial institutions involved in the project. A delivery time of a few months was granted to allow for a smooth transition.

The SHDM took all necessary precautions by carrying out the usual checks surrounding the new developer, including verification by the comptroller’s office of the Ville de Montréal.

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Source : Société d’habitation et de développement de Montréal
Information : Leslie Molko, 514 286-6033 poste 244

At the invitation of the Minister responsible for the Montréal region, Jean-François Lisée, the SHDM joined the Montréal = Families Steering Committee, to identify the most effective strategies and incentives to encourage families with young children to settle or remain on the island of Montréal.

The working group is composed of experts from associations, academia, financial circles and community groups, as well as of representatives from the Ville de Montréal and the Québec government. This group will examine the incentives that are already in place and have had proven results in Montréal or other cities.

In addition to initiatives that directly affect housing, such as home ownership programs, the working group will focus on other dimensions of a living environment that are factors in attracting families, such as transportation, recreation, education, etc.

To simplify the lease renewal process for all our tenants, we have changed the renewal notice and have added an easy-to-complete questionnaire.

Directly inspired by the model suggested by the Régie du logement du Québec, this form allows you to keep the original notice, while informing us of your intentions. It also contains all the relevant information to ensure the best possible follow-up by our managers.

Don’t forget! You have thirty days to respond or we will automatically renew the lease according to the proposed terms and conditions.

Remember that, in compliance with SHDM’s Regulation on rent-setting criteria and its tax status, the calculation of the rent increase takes into account:

• The building’s total revenue, including revenue from the rental of commercial spaces;
• The operating expenditures of the building, including costs of improvements and maintenance carried out in the building and/or in your apartment, insurance and management fees, energy, as well as municipal and school taxes;
• Theemphyteutic rent and the GST are excluded from the calculation.

As always, if you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact your building manager, who will be happy to assist you.