Résidenti'ELLE project of the Women’s Y

The Women’s Y of Montreal, a non-profit organization, will carry out a feasibility study on a 96-unit affordable residential housing building. The initiative supports women in difficult situations and/or victims of domestic violence. The study will assess measures that will make it possible to maintain a total net energy use of less than 80 kWh/m2, by looking at the building envelope, heat bridges and the effect of window arrangements on energy efficiency. The Women’s Y of Montreal will achieve its objectives by integrating experts into the construction and engineering steps. An energy simulation will assess the feasibility of various approaches, as well as the lifecycle of construction materials to minimize the carbon footprint. Innovative aspects: The emphasis placed on maintaining indoor air quality, on the presence of sunlight and on green spaces will make it possible to support and improve the mental health of women and children who are the unfortunate victims of abusive environments. Replicability: The lessons drawn from the project will be applied and shared with other projects under development and future projects. Affordability: 86 of the 96 units will be part of the AccèsLogis program of the City of Montréal, under which the price of rent cannot exceed 25% of resident income. (Project description from original funding application)