Accelerating affordable housing with Habitations Les Îles Courcelles

At a time when the housing crisis demands faster, smarter, and more inclusive solutions, builders and designer work hand in hand to explore alternative construction and delivery methods.  This collaboration comes to life with Habitations Les Îles Courcelles, where work has officially begun in Dorval. This development of 82 affordable housing units for people aged 55 and over is part of an innovative approach where speed of execution is supported by prefabrication and thoughtful modular design that allows for maximum flexibility. 

A timely response to a growing need 

Across Canada, the housing crisis continues to deepen, with thousands of people waiting for affordable housing. Modular timber prefabrication reconciles speed and quality by manufacturing components off-site for quick on-site assembly. This method addresses housing shortages while meeting sustainability goals, providing residents with optimal thermal comfort and natural light, proving that affordability and quality can coexist.

An approach that transforms challenges into opportunities 

Modular timber prefabrication makes it possible to reconcile seemingly contradictory requirements: meeting tight schedules while creating spaces of exceptional quality. This construction method, recognized as a promising response to the housing crisis, also offers the flexibility needed to achieve exemplary energy performance. Concretely, residents will benefit from optimal thermal comfort and abundant natural light, both in their housing units and in common areas. 

A collective project for the future 

This development is the result of a collaboration between the City of Dorval and the Office municipal d’habitation de Montréal (OMHM), with financial support from the Société d’habitation du Québec (SHQ), Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), and the Communauté métropolitaine de Montréal (CMM). 

Delivered in collaboration contractor Magil Tisseur, and manufacturer-builder Bonneville, this project allows us to demonstrate that it is possible to reconcile speed, quality, and accessibility in our housing projects.  

More than a building, a model 

Habitations Les Îles Courcelles is not just about creating new homes, it’s about proving that new ways of building can contribute meaningfully to solving the housing crisis. As municipalities, housing organizations, and design professionals seek to scale up affordable housing across the country, this project offers a replicable model that bridges vision and pragmatism.