Maison Interlude House (MIH) is receiving a $300,000 contribution from the United Counties of Prescott and Russell (UCPR) as part of continued efforts by the women’s shelter to secure financing for its planned second-stage housing project in Russell Township.
The estimated cost of the 24-unit project is $10 million.
UCPR council adopted a resolution approving the contribution on Wednesday, March 27. By providing the contribution from the UCPR’s Social Services Relief Fund (SSRF)-Phase 5 program before the building permit is issued, will allow the developers Centretown Affordable Housing Development Corporation (CAHDCO) and Maison Interlude House (MIH) to submit a financing application that satisfies federal agency Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation’s (CMHC) requirements.
According to a report presented to council on March 27; on June 1, 2022, UCPR council adopted a resolution approving a contribution of $900,000 to support the Maison Interlude House construction project. On October 7, 2022, the Ontario Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing (MMAH) approved the UCPR Council’s recommendation, subject to a series of conditions. Once those conditions had been met, the UCPR could disburse the SSRF-5 funds according to the project’s completion stages. Since receiving conditional approval from the MMAH, Maison Interlude House (MIH) has made several unsuccessful requests for financing from the CMHC because it stated that the construction project could not meet financial viability criteria.
Since one of the conditions of the SSRf-5 funding was to begin construction within ninety (90) days of the registration of the contribution agreement, the UCPR Department of Social Services requested extensions from the MMAH to allow both MIH efforts to obtain the required CMHC financing. In October 2023, MIH retained the services of CAHDCO, an expert in affordable housing development, to help MIH produce a viable project and enhance its chances of obtaining CMHC financing. On January 19, 2024, the UCPR held a meeting between representatives of the MMAH, MIH, and CAHDCO to discuss the extension application as well as the viability of the project. To apply for financing from CMHC, CAHDCO must produce a Class “B” appraisal of the project, which represents additional professional costs. The $300,000 was requested to achieve the production of the Class “B” appraisal.
MIH Executive Director Muriel Lalonde also explained the situation as a delegation before UCPR council on March 27. She was joined by Activar Hotels President Mathieu Mault, who is serving as project manager for the MIH housing project.
There were no questions or debate among the mayors before they unanimously agreed to grant the $300,000 to Maison Interlude House.
