31 million to BCHM for the construction of its "Lakou"
Jean Numa Goudou ·
The work, "if all goes well," should begin at the end of this summer.
The "Lakou pataj" project by the Bureau de la communauté haïtienne de Montréal (BCHM) has been selected under the Canada-Quebec Agreement, with an estimated implementation cost of $31.4 million. It aims to create 33 transitional housing units with support services for people experiencing homelessness or at risk of becoming homeless.
This is a major project with multifunctional spaces, transitional housing, a community kitchen, 24 rooms and nine studios. "Lakou pataj was born, within our community, from observing what young Black and immigrant women experience, whom the system struggles to reach, and the vision has expanded to all young women," said BCHM General Director Ruth Pierre-Paul during the announcement.
Canadian Health Minister Marjorie Michel and BCHM General Director Ruth Pierre-Paul during the announcement
"The Lakou pataj project addresses a documented and too long underfunded reality: young women from Black and immigrant communities are among the most vulnerable to homelessness, and among those who least access available resources," she added in a joint statement with Canada Homes and the Government of Quebec.
The work, "if all goes well," indicated the Member of Parliament for Laval-des-Rapides and Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Economy, Innovation and Energy, should begin at the end of this summer.
"We are confident," said Céline Haytayan before several dozen members of the Haitian community gathered at BCHM for the announcement.
Money is missing
The project cost calculation ($31.4 million) is still not right. The federal announcement of April 8 is approximately $10 million. "Currently, we're making the announcement, but Quebec and Ottawa are working with SHQ to figure it out, but we at the federal level will put in about $10 million," specified Health Minister Marjorie Michel who represented the federal government at that time.
The President and CEO of the Société d'habitation du Québec, Jean Martel, stated in a press release that he would "deploy the required efforts so that these investments quickly translate into new housing ready to be occupied by households in need."
According to our information, Quebec should contribute $5 million and the City of Montreal 40% of that amount. "The situation is difficult and even very difficult. Montreal faces a complex and deep housing crisis. The housing crisis and the one related to homelessness are closely linked," admitted Claude Pinard, president of Montreal's executive committee and responsible for homelessness.
A project self-financing campaign aims to raise $6 million through the involvement of Dominique Anglade and artist Manuel Mathieu. According to them, "LAKOU, the BCHM village, will literally transform lives by supporting young women from the DPJ in their first moments of adult life."
Note that the land, costing $4 million, has already been acquired for the project.
"It's certain that money is missing, but the project is ready," said Papineau MP Marjorie Michel, "if this project managed to pass before the famous selection committee, it's because it's solid and ready."
Note that "Bâtir son quartier," a technical resources group, is also supporting BCHM in project development and public funding research.
The BCHM Village was influenced by Haitian vernacular architecture as well as the Lakou concept; a family organization of common space composed of several houses grouped around the patriarch's house, thus surrounding a central courtyard. Multigenerational, this territorial arrangement in rural regions is surrounded by a large circular garden allowing the family to make seasonal harvests so as not to be entirely dependent on external resources.
Among 18 projects in Quebec
The two governments are now delivering concrete results by partnering to support nearly 865 new affordable housing units throughout the province, representing a total investment of $200 million.
The "Lakou" project is part of a set of 18 approved projects throughout Quebec, announced under the Canada-Quebec partnership aimed at delivering hundreds of new affordable, supportive and transitional housing units to meet urgent housing needs.
"Through these projects, we help create safe living environments with support services for seniors, women experiencing violence situations, as well as people experiencing homelessness or at risk of becoming homeless. This is coordinated, results-focused work that is at the very heart of our mandate." — Ana Bailão, President and CEO of Canada Homes.
Launched on September 14, 2025, Canada Homes is Canada's new federal agency dedicated to financing and building affordable housing on a large scale.
In January 2026, Canada and Quebec signed a Memorandum of Understanding establishing the principles of collaboration for the deployment of Canada Homes in Quebec.
Under this agreement, the two governments created a Joint Collaboration Table to coordinate funding and work by federal, provincial, municipal and community partners and to simplify approval processes.
Federal funding is subject to the signing of contribution agreements with developers, and Quebec funding will be provided in accordance with usual approval processes.