Financial support for community project in Deschênes

­­­Bulletin staff

A proposed community project in Old Deschênes is coming along inch by inch. The project reached another milestone in mid-March when Gatineau Council confirmed a financial contribution of $110,000 for the 30 housing units project led by Habitations de l’Outaouais métropolitain (HOM).

HOM is a non-profit organization whose mission is to develop affordable housing in Gatineau. The Deschênes project has been on the table for quite a few years. Gatineau confirmed its financial participation in 2008 and gave the go-ahead for the project in 2016 following a public consultation, while the HOM bought the over 4,900 square metre lot in 2009. According to the Association des residents de Deschênes (ARD), construction is scheduled for this spring.

Some unexpected challenges, such as respecting fire standards when linking to the water system, which were necessary to finalize the plans, resulted in delays.

This important community project plans for the construction of six buildings on a vacant lot at 34 Deschênes Street, at the corner of Jean-Paul Poirier Street. The buildings closer to the street will have two storeys while the inside buildings will have three.

The ARD indicates that the developer hopes to give Deschênes residents priority to access these new housing units.
(Trans.: CB)