SIRCAAQ’s third community living environments project will be located in Québec City, on a strategically chosen tree-lined site on the Université Laval campus.

This seven-storey building will house Indigenous students and their families from several communities in Quebec, while addressing their needs for community, family and academic support.

Environments where life is good

The SIRCAAQ – Kebec community living environment was designed to provide dynamic and appropriate spaces for all students. In addition to more than 90 affordable housing units, the project includes an early childhood education service, study areas, a collective kitchen, meeting spaces for Indigenous and non-Indigenous people, a community health clinic and much more.

The units are assigned based on the number of people in the family. Rent will be adjusted according to the financial situation of the student and their family, as well as their eligibility for the Société d’habitation du Québec’s Rent Supplement Program.

 

The facilities

  • 94 housing units of various types
  • Childcare centre (CPE)
  • A collective kitchen and coffeehouse area
  • A community hall
  • Multipurpose rooms
  • Study and group work rooms
  • Gym
  • Cultural and meeting spaces
  • Administrative offices

The services

  • Reception
  • Coaching on adapting to life in the city
  • Community activities
  • Community health clinic
  • Support and mutual aid
  • Educational support
  • Psychosocial support

A project that resonates with indigenous students

The architects’ work was carried out in constant dialogue with an Indigenous architecture committee created by SIRCAAQ, made up of five students and/or graduates from different nations.

This large-scale project will enable Indigenous people who are studying or would like to study in Québec City to settle in a lively and stimulating living environment that fosters mutual aid and sharing.

 

Our partners

Production and operating partners: Université Laval and Québec CEGEPs, Centre multi-services MAMUK, Centre d’amitié autochtone de Québec, Action Habitation,  Regroupement des centres d’amitié autochtones du Québec, Centre de développement de la formation et de la main-d’œuvre huron-wendat (CDFM), the indigenous architecture committee.

Financial partners: Société d’habitation du Québec, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, Ministère de l’Enseignement supérieur, Ville de Québec, Ministère de la Famille, Secrétariat aux relations avec les Premières Nations et les Inuit, National Indigenous Collaborative Housing Inc. (NICHI).

With the collaboration of: Construction Richard Arsenault, Lafond Côté Architectes.