Once a symbol of the renoviction war, Manoir Lafontaine on track to become affordable housing

The Quebec government is contributing $16.8 million to help convert Manoir Lafontaine into affordable housing, adding to the $5.9 million already granted by the City of Montreal. The 93-unit apartment building in the Plateau was purchased earlier this year by Interloge, a nonprofit specializing in affordable housing. Manoir Lafontaine had become a symbol of the city's housing crisis after its tenants were threatened with eviction so the previous owners could renovate.

The Quebec government is contributing $16.8 million to help convert Manoir Lafontaine into affordable housing, adding to the $5.9 million already promised by the City of Montreal.

The 93-unit apartment building in the Plateau was purchased earlier this year by Interloge, a nonprofit specializing in affordable housing.

Manoir Lafontaine had become a symbol of the city's housing crisis after its tenants were threatened with eviction so the previous owners could renovate.

A 2022 ruling by Quebec's rental board tribunal sided with the tenants, and the building on Papineau Avenue was eventually sold to Interloge for $18,810,000.

"The building could have gone down in history as a symbol of renoviction in Montreal. In the end, it was a victory against the commodification of housing," said Mayor Valerie Plante in a Monday press release.

According to Interloge, the project is budgeted at $38 million, with renovations expected to begin in the fall.

In addition to funding from Quebec and Montreal, Interloge will foot the $360,000 down payment and receive $13.5 million in financing and $1.9 million in patient capital from Desjardins bank.