GETTING STARTED

WHERE TO BEGIN

In this section of the toolbox you will find materials that can help you start planning your project and make getting started less overwhelming. Here, you will find a project conception worksheet, reading material on project management, project organization, affordable housing in Canada and community housing in Quebec as well as a short introductory feasibility checklist for your project.

TO START, YOU NEED A VISION, A CLEAR IDEA AND A THOROUGH UNDERSTANDING OF YOUR OBJECTIVE.

PRELIMINARY PROJECT CONCEPT WORKSHEET

Brainstorming and coming up with a preliminary concept of your project can be so useful to get things rolling but is also important for later down the road, establishing a goal and the motivation behind that goal at the beginning of a project will help you make tough decisions later on as your project gets more complex.

FEASIBILITY CHECKLIST

“Project feasibility is one of the most important parts of land development and must be constantly evaluated throughout the project’s timeline. For the project to be feasible it means that the project–in regards to whatever metric is being considered–could theoretically be viable and successful. Stakeholder groups and funders will not support a project if they do not think it’s feasible (due to their own potential for losses), so it’s important to be able to “prove your project”.” -the rural development network.

NEEDS ASSESSMENT
It’s important to identify the needs of a community and make sure they align with what you’re trying to provide and achieve with your housing project. If there’s no need, there’s no point to your project and it will be unsuccessful and therefore unfeasible. Conducting a needs assessment sometimes requires a little research, other times municipalities, boroughs or other NPOs will have already done this step for you when putting together their own plans. The TQSOI has previously conducted needs assessments for different boroughs throughout the West Island. Check them out on the education station page!
FINANCIAL FEASIBILITY
This is the first thing that should be done once a project has been conceptualized. Checking a project’s financial feasibility should be done with the developer or another experienced party such as a consulting firm. It is not recommended that this step be undertaken without expert guidance, as it could call into question the reliability of the financial analysis and therefore, the feasibility of the project. For more information on project financing check out our financing page or to find expert help consult our experts page.
LAND FEASIBILITY
Looking at land options should be explored while looking at the financial feasibility of your project. Since financing and land are significantly dependent on each other. Finding a suitable site for development is a huge obstacle for many NPOs and often kills a project before it even begins. For more information on finding a suitable site that enhances the feasibility of your project and doesn’t hurt it, check out: factors to consider in site selection.

Additionally, securing land is not a straightforward process and often takes a long time. While finding a suitable site is the first step, securing it is the second (trickier) step. This step may involve acquiring funding from multiple sources, obtaining necessary approvals, applying for rezoning and/or soliciting your municipality for a land donation. For more information on securing land check out our development and building page.