The Corporation d'habitation Jeanne-Mance is a paramunicipal organization commissioned by the city of Montreal and the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation to manage the social housing project known as Habitations Jeanne-Mance.
MISSION
The Corporation offers quality apartments and services to low-income citizens living in Greater Montreal. The Corporation seeks the co-operation of its employees, representatives, tenants and partners to provide a stimulating and pleasant environment where people can live fulfilling lives.
OPERATIONS
The Corporation is governed by a seven-member board of directors. Montreal city council appoints four members, including the chair and vice-chair. Tenants of Habitations Jeanne-Mance elect the remaining three members.
The board relies on a strong, dynamic team to provide its clientele with top-notch services. Members of this team also encourage networking and strengthen ties between public services, institutions and community groups in an effort to develop the social and community potential of this housing complex.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Robert Labelle, chair
Robert Petrelli, vice-chair
Roger Dionne, treasurer
Denis Quirion, member
Shirley Smith, member
Rolland Durocher, member
Razibul Haque, member
EVENTS
MAJOR WORKS AND DEVELOPMENTS
Major work and development projects carried out by the Corporation d’habitation Jeanne-Mance have increased over the years. The table below shows all past, current and future projects:
The Corporation is committed to improving surrounding areas. For 2010, investments include:
 | Renewing street furniture |
| Adding an ecological parking lot along Sanguinet Street |
| Renovating the 200 Ontario Street parking lot |
| Increasing green areas and landscaping |
| Maintaining existing trees and flower arrangements and repairing damaged lawns |
| Creating an urban mural called Summer |
| Extending the mosaic wall at 200 Ontario Street |
Work done by the borough of Ville-Marie, in partnership with the city of Montreal, includes renovating and developing the following infrastructures:
| Renovating the walkway in Toussaint-Louverture Park |
| Renovating the chalet |
| Community gardens |
| A miniature soccer field |
| A pétanque field |
| Water games |
HISTORY
From an idle place was born a great community. Though many years have passed and people have come and gone, the sense of unity in this neighborhood has never faltered.
At the heart of intense political debate and of various social changes,
Les Habitations Jeanne-Mance was conceived against all odds.
Past environment
The First World War and the stock market crash of 1929 led to a dramatic decline in housing construction in Montreal, while demand remained constant. Throughout the 1930’s, a very serious housing shortage was developing.
In the Faubourg Saint-Laurent neighborhood, other than this shortage, living quarters were cramped and overcrowded, and several of them lacked such basic amenities as private lavatories and hot water. This, along with rodent and insect infestation, rendered these dwellings unsanitary. With the urging of several worker advocacy groups requesting low-cost housing, it became clear that government intervention was greatly needed.
Downtown was regarded as a place of predilection to develop offices and businesses. However, this part of town was already fully occupied by a variety of people: families, workers, unemployed and pensioners. These people, who deserved to be taken into consideration, regarded this sought-after area of the city as their very own living space. A set of confrontations between various forces, mainly political, ensued causing a debate opposing economic motivations and social principles, both of which were very legitimate.
The project
State intervention in the fight against slums resulted in the building of low-rent housing. Indeed, the
National Housing Act was adopted on August 15
th 1944. Under this act, the government was authorized to assist municipalities in the construction of low-rent housing. Then, the Federal government recognized the need for public housing and agreed to the elaboration of subsidized federal-provincial projects in 1949.
On March 30
th 1951, the Montreal Municipal Council authorized a 1.5 million dollar loan for the cause of ridding Montreal of its so called slums.
On November 26
th 1952, the "Comité des 55", comprised of 55 charity, religious and union associations, joined forces with the city’s executive committee, then chaired by city counselor Paul Dozois. This committee established a project with the aim of eliminating slums and replacing them with low-rent housing units in the city of Montreal. On May 12
th 1953, the committee chose a particular area, the "Main", and produced a detailed report that presented all the leading social and economic positions as well as concrete solutions. This was known as the
Dozois Report. The "
Dozois Plan", which contained all the proposed changes, was released on September 17
th 1954. One year later, a modified project, the Field-Dozois Report, was finally accepted on April 11
th 1956, by the City of Montreal.
Les Habitations Jeanne-Mance are born
On January 15
th 1957, the City of Montreal created the Montreal Municipal Housing Bureau which paved the way to allow
Les Habitations Jeanne-Mance to see the light of day. On May 16
th, 1957, the City took possession of the area and the first demolitions started a few weeks later. The name Jeanne-Mance was chosen in order to pay tribute to the devoted woman who founded the Hôtel-Dieu hospital and took numerous social initiatives in the area.
Construction costs amounted to more than 10 million dollars, 75% of which were funded by the federal government (
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation) and 25% by the City of Montreal. The provincial government made an additional contribution of 1 million dollars.
On June 16
th 1958, the
Corporation Habitation Jeanne-Mance was founded and a year later, on July 16
th 1959, the Corporation received the authority to manage the new buildings and the land which they occupied.
The first families moved in on October 15
th 1959 but all the units were completed and occupied by May of 1961.
Les Habitations Jeanne-Mance represent the first great urban renovation project in downtown Montreal. In total, construction continued for a period of eight years. At that time,
Les Habitations Jeanne-Mance were a model of modernity, structured in five, distinct residential areas with five high-rise buildings, fourteen multiplexes and 50 townhouses (for more details, visit the "
site and housing" section) .
Throughout the years
Originally, the building situated at 200 Ontario offered an outdoor pedestrian walkway that went from one end of the tower to the other. This walkway is now blocked, a community room having been built on this spot. Despite the fact that planning and development altered some elements between 1986 and 1990, several mature trees dominate with grandeur,
les Habitations Jeanne-Mance being considered today as an urban cool island in downtown area.
From the very beginning, a number of organizations committed themselves to enhancing the residents’ quality of life and to promoting their autonomy (visit our tenant zone for
partner organizations). Thanks to them, local life was organized: housewives had access to cooking, sewing classes and services of a medical clinic or daycare. Some of these organizations are still active today.
Today, local life has never been so animated:
residents of the community and from the neighbourhood have access to many sports and recreational facilities such as the basketball and mini-soccer fields, a skating rink and some water game;
Other spaces are used for leisure, reading and socialization, one of which being the Toussaint-Louverture Park. It is one of the most favorable spot for festive and cultural activities. Besides, this park and the
Habitations Jeanne-Mance represent an important interface between the different components of the Quartier des Spectacles;
Since 1997, an intercultural summer festival, a long-awaited yearly event, gathers singers, musicians, and dancers from countries all over the world;
the corporation publishes its own newsletter called "Coucou!" directed specifically at its tenants to inform them on activities, projects and major renovation programs.
Finally, thanks to the
Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation and the City of Montreal, investments have been made in infrastructure in order to revitalize the site and perpetuate its outreach.
Conclusion
To celebrate
Les Habitations Jeanne-Mance’s 50
th anniversary, many interesting activities were organized to allow the residents to showcase their neighborhood to the community at large.
And so goes the story of
Les Habitations Jeanne-Mance, a story that will have many inspiring chapters to come. The history of this vibrant community is one that has been full of surprises; it is a journey that has had many twists and turns. One cannot come away from this village without being transformed in some way by the experience. Within the hustle and bustle of a metropolis lies a community that is much more than meets the eye.
One can still hear the echoes of political debate on the street corners of
Les Habitations Jeanne-Mance. But no voice of objection can drown out the heart that beats here today. The people who live here are part of a cultural mosaic that is both alive and unique. It lives within a downtown area that has watched it grow.
Beyond the bricks and mortar, there are people.
USEFUL LINKS
50 years of life at Habitations Jeanne-Mance:
Partners for public art and landscape design:
Partners in community and social development:
