Quebec Affordable Housing Program (QAHP) - Component 2: Projects for people with special housing needs

Who is eligible?

• Public housing offices (office d’habitation)
• Non-profit organizations involved in real estate activities
• Housing cooperatives
• Private sector real estate enterprises
• Recognized postsecondary educational institutions involved in real estate projects

Who is not eligible

• Private companies that want to develop projects specifically for people who are victims of domestic violence.
• Private companies that want to develop projects intended for clients needing emergency housing.

Eligible geographic areas

• Organizations located in the province of Quebec, Canada, and registered or recognized under Quebec’s regulatory framework (e.g. listed in the Registre des entreprises du Québec where applicable).

• Compliance with deadlines and submission methods specified in the program's normative framework.
• Alignment of the project with the identified regional needs, which determines the priority given during the evaluation.
• Conformity of the project to the technical, real estate, and regulatory requirements specified by the Société d’habitation du Québec.
• Ability of the project to comply with conditions related to rents after completion, construction contracts, and implementation methods.
• Implementation of sound real estate management practices and the Equality Access Program, as required for the selected projects.

• Step 1: Review program guidelines
  • Consult the Programme d’habitation abordable Québec (PHAQ) regulatory framework to understand the rules and conditions that apply.
  • Pay particular attention to the list of documents required according to the stage of advancement of your project.
  • Review complementary documents such as the project evaluation grid, regional needs, maximum rents, weighting factors, maximum incomes, model board resolution, and the guide on requirements and best practices for project delivery.
• Step 2: Create or access your SHQ user account
  • Ensure that you have a user account with the Société d’habitation du Québec (SHQ) in order to submit one or more projects under the PHAQ.
  • If you do not already have an account, request the creation of a new SHQ user account.
  • Refer to the guide on creating and using an SHQ user account if you need support during this step.
• Step 3: Prepare your project and required information
  • Define your new construction or renovation project in line with the PHAQ requirements.
  • Gather all documents and information required as specified in the program’s regulatory framework and document list (e.g., financial details, resolutions, technical information, etc.).
  • Ensure that your project characteristics correspond to the applicable regional needs and other program parameters (such as maximum rents and income thresholds) as outlined in the supporting documents.
• Step 4: Submit the project via the online platform
  • Log in to your SHQ user account.
  • Access the dedicated PHAQ web platform used to file projects.
  • Complete all required fields on the online platform and upload the necessary supporting documents.
  • Submit your project through the web platform; projects can be filed at any time under this program stream.
• Step 5: Application assessment and notification
  • Once submitted, the admissibility of your project within the prescribed timeframes is verified.
  • All admissible projects are evaluated, with priority given to those that best respond to identified regional needs.
  • Receive a letter from the SHQ indicating the status of your application: admissible and selected, admissible but not selected, or not admissible, within the time limits set out in the regulatory framework.
• Step 6: Provide complementary information for selected projects
  • If your project is selected, review the selection letter and identify all requested additional information.
  • Transmit the requested information to the SHQ within the deadlines indicated in the letter.
  • Specify the detailed financial amounts related to the project within 12 months following receipt of the selection letter.
• Step 7: Sign the realization and operating agreement
  • Before starting any construction or renovation work, conclude a realization and operating agreement with the SHQ that sets out the rights and obligations arising from the PHAQ.
  • Use the agreement template appropriate to your situation (general, private enterprise, or combined realization, operation, and financing agreement for PHAQ and PFH).
  • Note that the project cannot begin until this agreement has been duly ratified.
• Step 8: Request rent supplement unit reservations (if applicable)
  • If desired and applicable to your project, submit a request to reserve units under the Programme de supplément au loyer Québec (PSLQ) so that low-income households can benefit from subsidized rents.
  • Ensure that this request is coordinated with your PHAQ project and included within the framework of the realization and operating agreement.
• Step 9: Implement the project in compliance with program requirements
  • Carry out the project in full compliance with the technical and regulatory requirements specified by the SHQ and in the realization and operating agreement.
  • Respect obligations regarding the conformity of the work and building, technical standards, post-project rent levels, solicitation methods, construction contracts and delivery methods, equal access program, and sound property management.
  • Refer to the guide on requirements and best practices for project delivery for detailed instructions during implementation.
• Step 10: Maintain communication and stay informed
  • For any questions or for further information during the process, contact the SHQ team by email at phaq@shq.gouv.qc.ca.
  • Subscribe to the PHAQ newsletter to stay informed about program updates, future calls for projects, and the release of relevant documents.

• Project proposals can be submitted at any time; this component is not limited to periodic calls for projects.
• The program framework has been modified by decrees dated December 18, 2024 and May 7, 2025, which may affect current and future projects.
• For selected projects, key reference documents include the project evaluation grid, regional needs, maximum rents and incomes, municipal weighting factors, and best practices guide.
• Applicants can subscribe to the PHAQ newsletter to receive updates on the program, future calls for projects and new documentation.