Revitalization of Montreal social housing project provides new hope
Posted June 26, 2023 5:43 pm.
Last Updated June 26, 2023 6:53 pm.
Single mothers in Montreal’s Notre-Dame-de-Grâce, in need of affordable housing, now have renewed hope with the revitalization of Project Chance.
“We’re looking for a permanent long-term solution as one of the many pieces of the housing crisis here at NDG and, of course, beyond,” said Désirée McGraw, the Member of the National Assembly for Notre-Dame-de-Grâce.
Project Chance is a non-profit organization focusing on social housing for single mothers who are looking to pursue their post-secondary education.
In 2019, Project Chance in NDG was forced to close due to maintenance issues. This year, a task force, created by McGraw, has been put in place to see the 24 units restored.
“It’s in an area which is a good area to raise a child…there’s good schools, markets, parks,” said Halah Al-Ubaidi, the Director of NDG Community Council. “We need to keep it.”
Al-Ubaidi, who’s a member of the task force, says Project Chance will help alleviate some of the stress placed on single mothers.
Misoo Chung, a former resident of Project Chance, now works at an investment management company as a chief compliance officer.
“I was able to change the course of my life because Project Chance was there for me when I needed it the most,” said Chung.
Amanda Murphy, Director of O3, another social housing project in NDG says the community is in need for these types of services.
“I think it’s a big struggle for families to find apartments where they have enough space, but they aren’t way too pricey,” Amanda Murphy, Director of O3
The task force will select a local organization to take over Project Chance. This way, they will be able to apply for funding from the provincial government to begin renovations.
“Having Project Chance open will give them the reassurance that they can do it as well,” said Chung.