Community Organization Assistance Program (PAOC) – Support for needs determined by the SHQ

• Non-recurring grant covering up to 100% of eligible project expenses, to a maximum of $250,000.
• Funding is granted by invitation only, based on needs specifically identified by the Société d’habitation du Québec (SHQ).
• Initial payment of 90% is provided at the signing of the funding agreement; the remaining 10% is paid upon submission of satisfactory financial and activity reports.

• The applicant must be a community action organization as defined by the Government Action Plan for Community Action, such as a non-profit organization (OSBL) constituted under applicable Quebec or Canadian laws or a cooperative constituted under Quebec's cooperative law.
• The organization must be rooted in the community, maintain associative and democratic governance, and be free to determine its mission, approaches, practices, and orientations.
• The organization must operate within the province of Quebec.
• The applicant and its project must respond to needs identified by the Société d'habitation du Québec (SHQ); participation is by invitation only for this program stream.

Who is eligible?

• Non-profit organizations (OSBL) active in the community housing sector
• Cooperatives constituted under Quebec or Canadian legislation with community-oriented missions
• Community action organizations operating in the field of housing in Quebec

Who is not eligible

• Organizations whose mission or activities are political, partisan, religious, union-related, or professional in nature.
• Non-profit organizations created by a public authority for public administration purposes.
• Organizations listed in the Register of Enterprises Ineligible for Public Contracts (RENA).
• Organizations that have failed to fulfill obligations related to previous financial assistance from the Société d'habitation du Québec in the past two years.

Eligible expenses

• General expenses such as office space, office supplies, and technological infrastructure (limited to 50% of the subsidy amount).
• Salaries and social benefits related to the project.
• Travel expenses in accordance with the Quebec government's guidelines.

Eligible geographic areas

• Quebec

• The program is aligned with the 2022-2027 Government Action Plan for Community Action, emphasizing the recognition and support of community organizations in housing.
• Funding ceilings and eligible expenditures can be adjusted based on cumulative surpluses reported by the applicant in their latest financial statements.
• Failure to submit the required reports may lead to withholding or reimbursement of granted funds.
• A summary of program results must be provided to the Société d'habitation du Québec for evaluation purposes.