Han-logement breaks ground on new adapted housing project in Richmond
As of July 1, 2020, the town of Richmond will be home to eight new specially adapted, independentliving apartments for people with physical or intellectual impairments thanks to a $1.3 million investment by the Hanlogement company. The project, located at 80 Craig Street, broke ground yesterday morning and the company is already on the lookout for people who might be future residents.
Paul Champagne, the General Manager of Han-logement explained that his company has been at work building and managing adapted housing in the region since 2002. The organization currently has 15 buildings totaling 97 apartments across Sherbrooke and Magog. The Richmond project, he added, was something the municipality asked for specifically and worked hard to make happen.
“The commitment of the Town of Richmond and the strong engagement of the local business community and citizens have proven to be the key factors in the success of this very positive project,” he said.
Asked about the kind of adaptations that will be in place, Champagne said
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that Han-logement relies on feedback from its residents to design and maintain its buildings. Each living space has as many as 50 different adaptations aimed at making the space a totally functional space for someone who is confined to a wheelchair but wants to live independently, adjusting everything from the bathrooms to the countertops.
Recognizing that people with physical or intellectual impairments often face greater financial and employment challenges, the general manager explained that rent in all Han-logement buildings is set as a standard quarter of the tenant’s net income, meaning that no matter what the resident makes, the cost of their living space will never exceed 25 per cent of the money that they take in.
Bertrand Ménard, Mayor of Richmond, also spoke to the value of community supporters in the success of the project, pointing out that the land on which the project will be built is a donation of Choice Properties Real Estate Investment Trust, the company that owns the land of the Provigo-maxi chain of grocery stores.
“This choice of location was not made at random,” the mayor said. “It will allow the tenants access to a large number of services without having to drive, since they will be less than 500 metres from the grocery store, the post office, the pharmacy, the dental clinic, a depanneur, the CLSC, and two different financial institutions.”
Ménard said he is confident this investment will be the first of many in the community.
More information on Han-logement is available in French on the company’s website hanlogement.org, and the company can also be reached by phone at 819 769.1244. According to Champagne, the company hopes to have all eight of the Richmond apartments spoken for by the time they are ready to open their doors next July.