info@rqoh.com

514 846-01631 866 846-0163 (Sans frais)
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Accueil / The RQOH

RQOH at a glimpse

55,000
Housing Units

1,200
Organizations

8
Federations

1
Voice

Housing NPOs in Quebec make up eight regional federations creating a solidarity network the first vocation of which is to offer stable and decent housing conditions to socially, physically or economically underprivileged individuals. More than 10,000 people are active volunteers in this network which also has 6,500 employees. The total value of assets under the control of housing NPOs is close to $5 billion.

Our values

Social
justice

Democracy

Solidarity

Autonomy

Mobilization &
participation

Our actions

Promote

the development and sustainability of Housing NPOs in Quebec.

Encourage

the recognition to the right to housing and access to quality community housing.

Represent

Housing NPOs actively with political authorities and in a multitude of coalitions, consultations, committees and groups.

Guarantee

that community housing interests are protected and highlighted.

Our mission

Gather, support and represent Quebec’s regional NPO federations

The COMMUNITY Difference

Housing NPOs

In Quebec, non-profit organizations (NPOs) have set up community housing projects. These are run by volunteer directors supported by competent professionals. In both urban and rural areas, more than 1,100 organizations oversee some 2,300 projects offering close to 50,000 affordable and permanent housing units. This represents close to 4% of available rental units in Quebec. More than 200 of these organizations also offer transitional housing.

Housing NPOs offer adequate, safe and affordable housing to diverse populations. Community services and support are often provided. Deeply rooted in their communities, there are a grand variety of these organizations in order to respond to local needs and dynamics. Different socio-economic and health indicators define NPO tenants as being the most vulnerable members of Quebec society. Development of community housing is supported by government, municipal and community investments. The projects participate in urban renewal and blend in harmoniously with the neighbourhood or village landscape. Quebec’s housing NPOs thus contribute actively to community and individual health. It is not surprising that for twenty years now, the housing NPO model has been the vehicle of choice for community housing development.

Housing at the heart of SOCIAL ACTION

Community housing is more than a roof over someone’s head. It is also an improvement in the quality of life of low-income tenants and of those with special needs.

But also…

  • A network which, with branches in 500 towns and villages in all regions of Quebec, has a considerable impact on local population retention and land use.
  • The fruit of community mobilization, often the end result of years of struggle to improve living conditions of fellow citizens, together with local coalitions, municipalities and governments.
  • A major player in health, homelessness, the social isolation experienced by many seniors, the economy, urban planning, public safety, the settlement and integration of new immigrants, all issues for which housing is key.
  • A living environment for people touched by the de-institutionalization of mental health services and services for the homeless or those at risk of becoming so, who find in the community support offered by housing NPOs an essential factor to housing stability.
  • An important part of the community movement, maintaining close ties with women’s groups, organizations of people with disabilities, youth groups, tenants’ rights groups, senior’s associations, fully participating in Quebec’s democratic life.
  • A major tool for economic development, with its $850 million in business annually and some 6,500 employees offering rent 14% lower than the private market!
[piechart size= »7″ style= »piechart1″ percent= »63″ text= »of NPO tenants are women » color= »#3274ad »][piechart size= »7″ style= »piechart1″ percent= »83″ text= »of NPO tenants earn below $20,000 a year » color= »#dc8633″][piechart size= »7″ style= »piechart1″ percent= »8″ text= »of tenant households in Quebec are considered at risk for homelessness » color= »#86af3b »][piechart size= »7″ style= »piechart1″ percent= »68″ text= »of NPO housing projects offer community support activities » color= »#782c77″]

HOUSING + Community Support = Social Developement

The flexibility of the non-profit model has led to a great variety of original projects in housing. Several NPO housing projects offer different types of adapted non-residential services as needed: security and surveillance, hospitality and reception services, liaison with local services, crisis intervention, psycho-social intervention, conflict management, leisure activities, meals, housecleaning, rental support, etc. These are all small gestures which contribute to the social fabric and often forestall recourse to shelters, hospitalization and even incarceration for fragile or isolated individuals.

Most groups foster tenant participation by integrating them into the organization’s management, supporting life projects, partnering with employment insertion and training centres, etc. Other housing NPOs establish partnerships with health establishments to ensure domestic support with social and medical services for people with disabilities or experiencing a loss of autonomy. In short, non-profit organizations not only contribute to the economies of communities. They also strengthen the social fabric!Different forms of community support provide significant added value to individuals and families whose condition, life experiences or health status often make it difficult for them to get or maintain housing in the private sector.

Less well known than public housing (HLMs by their French acronym) and housing cooperatives, housing NPOs, with their thousands of buildings, organizations, employees and volunteer directors, are nevertheless important actors in the world of social and community housing

The MAJOR issues

Seniors

Across Quebec, the non-profit sector offers affordable quality housing to autonomous and semi-autonomous seniors with modest incomes. Community housing is an essential means for allowing a large number of seniors to live in a pleasant environment and to live in dignity. RQOH acts on such issues as the shortage of housing for seniors, development of residences and their certification, community security, tax issues, community support for seniors, etc.

Learn more (French only)

Fighting
Homelessness

NPOs have developed successful shelter, housing and intervention practices for decades with the mission of guaranteeing healthy, safe and accessible housing. Several organizations offer community support through a series of actions directed at giving social support to individuals and groups, from hospitality and reference services to accompaniment in acceding to public services.

Learn more (French only)

Sustainability and Development of Housing NPOs

The withdrawal of Canadian state funding to NPOs which began in the 1990s and the reduction of investments by the Quebec government in the social housing sector pose serious challenges to the NPO housing movement. RQOH fosters solutions leading to the creation of projects addressing at once low income families, seniors and individuals living alone with special housing needs. It will take mobilization of the community to bring such projects to fruition.’

Learn more (French only)

CUSTOM MADE Services

Sekoia
Home Insurance

The only insurance program truly adapted to the needs of housing NPOs because conceived of and guided by members of the NPO housing movement.

Learn more (French only)

Group
Purchases

Group purchasing agreements with important suppliers responding to the specific needs of housing NPOs.

Learn more (French only)

Prevention
Mutual

A prevention mutual to promote safe practices in the workplace for housing NPO employees.

Learn more (French only)

Service Center

A Quebec housing NPO service centre where real estate and construction professionals and expert technicians accompany organizations in their real estate management.

Learn more (French only)

Financial Benefits

A Financial Benefits Program offered exclusively to its members, with partners from the financial sector.

Learn more (French only)

and Much More!

Car and housing insurance, support and accompaniment, etc.

Learn more (French only)

RQOH ressources and documents available in English

What we do…

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What we propose…

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