More than 280 new social and affordable housing units in Quebec City

Quebec City, November 13, 2025 – Today, the Government of Quebec, the Government of Canada, the Ville de Québec, Desjardins, UTILE and La Bouée announced progress on two social and affordable housing projects in Quebec City:

• The UTILE Saint-Sacrement project is a 235-unit student housing building that broke ground in March 2025.
• The Habitations Landry project is a 48-unit building for families and people who live alone. It will welcome its first tenants in winter 2026.

Caroline Proulx, Quebec Minister Responsible for Housing and Minister Responsible for the Status of Women; Steeve Lavoie, Member of Parliament for Beauport-Limoilou; Jean-François Simard, Quebec Minister of Natural Resources and Forests and Minister Responsible for the Capitale-Nationale Region; Bruno Marchand, Mayor of Quebec City; Denis Dubois, President and CEO of Desjardins Group; Laurent Levesque, President and CEO of UTILE; and Robert Verret, Chair of the Board of La Bouée, made the announcement at UTILE’s Quebec City offices.

Exceeding expectations

These are the first projects by the Desjardins Affordable Housing Initiative to break ground in Quebec City—further cementing a partnership that has made a firm commitment to deliver 3,000 affordable housing units by 2028. The initiative is already delivering impressive results.

Since 2022, work has begun or been completed on 2,553 units in 14 regions across Quebec. A total of 1,561 units are already occupied and another 944 are currently under construction. Based on current progress, we anticipate that the initiative will exceed the initial goals.

Desjardins owes this strong performance to its extensive caisse network and its one-stop-shop model, which:

• Ensures rapid, centralized project management by a dedicated team
• Simplifies the process for community promoters and partners
• Centralizes funding sources, including innovative resources like patient capital and mortgage solutions
• Speeds up project delivery by taking a collaborative approach with local organizations

Building these housing units is about more than just numbers. It’s about helping students, families and people who live alone to find the affordable housing they want and need.

UTILE Saint-Sacrement

Total investment in the UTILE Saint-Sacrement project is over $56 million. The provincial government is footing $15.9 million of the bill, and more than $2.3 million is coming from the municipal government. The federal government is providing $2 million through the Affordable Housing Innovation Fund. Meanwhile, Desjardins is bringing a structured financing plan to the table that includes $4.3 million in patient capital and mortgage financing to round out the package.

Each of these student units is equipped with a refrigerator, stove and air exchanger and has electricity, heating and internet access included. The building also has a patio, elevators, a study room, a common room and indoor and outdoor bike parking.

Habitations Landry

The financing package for the Habitations Landry project is close to $18 million. It includes an investment of $8.2 million from the provincial government and over $3.4 million from the municipal government. Desjardins is contributing more than $767,000 in patient capital, in addition to providing a mortgage that ensures the project’s financial viability.

Ultimately, the building will be managed by La Bouée. The building will feature a range of units to meet tenants’ needs, with 12 studio apartments, 24 one-bedroom apartments and 12 two-bedroom apartments. A multi-purpose room on the ground floor, underground parking for 14 vehicles, bike storage and outdoor green spaces will help improve quality of life for residents while reducing heat islands. 

Quotes:

“Our government is delivering more social and affordable housing than ever, all across Quebec. Thanks to new solutions like partnerships with tax-advantaged funds, including those with Desjardins Group, the Société d’habitation du Québec has expanded its capacity to build more homes, more quickly. It’s a formula that’s delivering real results. The two projects we’re highlighting today are excellent examples. Congratulations to all the partners in these projects, and long may these future buildings stand proud under the management of UTILE and La Bouée.”

Caroline Proulx, Quebec Minister Responsible for Housing and Minister Responsible for the Status of Women

“Our government is committed to helping communities build their capacity to develop local solutions to housing challenges. These projects will offer safer and more affordable housing for Quebecers for generations to come. And they contribute to building an economy that serves everyone.”

The Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Member of Parliament for Québec Centre

“I’d like to highlight Desjardins Group’s commitment, which is a key factor in these projects in the Capitale-Nationale region. I would also like to thank UTILE and La Bouée, as well as the Action-Habitation technical resource group, for their crucial involvement. Thanks to these partners, our government can reaffirm its commitment to foster access to quality, sustainable and affordable housing. Together, we’re building the foundations to improve living conditions for people in the Capitale-Nationale region.”

Jean-François Simard, Quebec Minister of Natural Resources and Forests and Minister Responsible for the Capitale-Nationale Region

“Our government is committed to providing housing solutions for the people of Quebec City—and people all across the country. Supporting this UTILE project is a tangible example of our commitment. I’m proud of our contribution to this project and the real difference it will make for students in this community.”

Steeve Lavoie, Member of Parliament for Beauport–Limoilou

“Working together with dedicated, ambitious community developers like UTILE and La Bouée is an invaluable way for the Ville de Québec to increase the number of housing units available to restore balance in the rental market. Over the past two years, the municipality has surpassed its goal of building more than 500 new social and affordable housing units per year. We need to maintain this pace if we want to put the housing crisis behind us, and financial partnerships like this will help us get there.”

Bruno Marchand, Mayor of Quebec City

“This progress report is a source of great pride for Desjardins Group as a whole. Since 2022, we’ve started construction or completed work on more than 2,500 affordable housing units across Quebec. Access to housing is a priority, and we have the ambition to innovate and to go the extra mile here in Quebec and in other parts of Canada. Every project we back aims to help people put a safe roof over their head with dignity. It’s all about creating inclusive spaces where people can live and strengthen the vitality of our communities.”

Denis Dubois, President and CEO of Desjardins Group

“Thanks to the support of the partners who have made this project possible, at least 340 students will have access to affordable housing so they can really focus on their education. UTILE welcomes innovative and agile approaches like the Desjardins Affordable Housing Initiative. These approaches have opened the door for large-scale development of non-profit housing in Quebec.”

Laurent Levesque, President and CEO of UTILE

“It’s a real source of pride for La Bouée to be involved in the Habitations Landry project. This project has been made possible by mobilizing agile, committed partners, and it will provide families in Quebec City with an inclusive, sustainable place to live—a place they’re proud to call home. As a community organization, we care about supporting tenants and building vibrant neighbourhoods. We’re proud to offer a real solution to the housing crisis. And we hope that this dynamic partnership will continue to meet the needs of today and tomorrow.”

Robert Verret, Chair of the Board of Directors of La Bouée 

Highlights:

Habitations Landry and La Bouée:

• La Bouée is a non-profit acquiring company. Its main mission is to preserve and develop community housing and to seek and develop innovation.
• As many as 36 of the 48 households could potentially benefit from the Société d’habitation du Québec (SHQ)’s rent supplement program, ensuring they spend no more than 25% of their income on rent. This additional assistance is covered by the SHQ (90%) and the Ville de Québec (10%).

UTILE

• UTILE’s mission is to responsibly design, build and manage sustainable housing that is adapted to the needs of Quebec’s student population. This social economy enterprise works to make housing a catalyst for success—a space where generations of students can reach their full potential.
• UTILE Saint-Sacrement is the second UTILE project in Quebec City. These 235 units will complement the existing stock of 205 apartments at the UTILE Cité-Universitaire building (formerly known as “L’Ardoise”). UTILE units are already home to more than 900 tenants in 752 apartments in Montreal, Quebec City, Trois-Rivières and Rimouski. UTILE aims to start construction on 600 to 800 units a year across the province.

For more information (media inquiries only):
Public Relations
514-281-7000 or 1-866-866-7000, ext. 5553436
media@desjardins.com