The Government of Canada and the City of Montreal have announced a joint investment of $320 million to support infrastructure for the first phase of the Namur-Hippodrome neighborhood, aimed at accelerating housing construction. The federal contribution of up to $128.3 million comes through the Canada Housing Infrastructure Fund (CHIF), while the City of Montreal adds $192.5 million to implement the urban project. The investment will fund drinking water, stormwater, and wastewater infrastructure to serve 2,250 non-market housing units and support the future redevelopment of the neighborhood.
The Namur-Hippodrome project envisions up to 20,000 new housing units, with 50 percent designated as non-market housing. The neighborhood is designed as a model of inclusion, equity, resilience, and carbon neutrality, incorporating shops, services, 14 hectares of public green space, and redesigned transportation networks. Civic hubs including schools, community, sports, cultural centers, a library, and healthcare facilities will further enhance livability and community engagement.
Federal and provincial officials highlighted the importance of infrastructure investment in addressing the housing crisis. Minister of Housing and Infrastructure Gregor Robertson emphasized that building essential utilities is key to accelerating housing development, while Minister Steven Guilbeault noted that such projects strengthen communities and meet the housing needs of Quebec residents. Quebec Ministers Sonia Bélanger and Chantal Rouleau, along with Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante, expressed support for the neighborhood as a model of affordable, accessible, and inclusive urban planning.
The project also benefits from the collaboration of GALOPH, co-chaired by Janie Béïque and Pierre Boivin, which mobilizes expertise and resources to expedite development. The initiative aligns with CHIF’s broader objectives of investing up to $6 billion to build and upgrade public infrastructure across Canada, including drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater systems, with a view to creating denser, sustainable communities.
Build Canada Homes, launched on September 14, 2025, will complement this effort by focusing on affordable housing supply, while Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) continues to support housing through programs like the Apartment Construction Loan Program and Mortgage Loan Insurance products, further strengthening Canada’s housing system.
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