Comment devenir propriétaire plus facilement avec le programme Accès Famille à Québec

Becoming a homeowner in Quebec City can seem a daunting challenge, especially with the ongoing rise in housing prices. For families who want to own a home, gathering the necessary down payment often constitutes a major obstacle. To support households in this important life project, the City of Quebec has implemented the Accès Famille program.

This unique municipal program aims to facilitate the purchase of a first new home by supporting families with an interest-free loan with no repayments that covers the down payment. If you dream of buying a house or a new condo, this scheme could be the boost you were missing.

In this article, we will review the details of the program: who can benefit, which housing is eligible, how the homeownership credit works, what steps to follow, and finally, some practical tips to maximize your chances of eligibility.

What is the Accès Famille program?

Accès Famille is an initiative of Quebec City that aims to promote homeownership for families who meet certain income and situation criteria.

Concretely, the program takes the form of a homeownership credit equivalent to 5.5% of the purchase price (taxes and rebates included). This credit is in fact an interest-free loan, with no monthly payments. You therefore have nothing to repay as long as you keep your property and meet the program conditions.

Novoclimat Bonus

If the chosen dwelling is Novoclimat-certified, an additional bonus is added: the City applies an additional 3.5% discount of the purchase price, directly deducted from the amount of your mortgage loan.

👉 This represents an immediate saving on your financing and makes the program even more advantageous if you are aiming for an energy-efficient home.

Who can benefit?

The program is mainly aimed at families with children, but the City has broadened access to other profiles. Here are the general conditions depending on the situations:

1. Couples with child(ren)

• Caring for at least one minor child 40% of the time (or a child to be born confirmed by medical certificate).
• Maximum gross family income: $165,000.
• At least one of the spouses must not have owned property in the past five years.
• The dwelling must be the primary residence.

2. Single-parent families

• Caring for at least one minor child (or child to be born) at least 40% of the time.
• Maximum gross income: $165,000.
• Must occupy the dwelling as the primary residence.

3. Couples without children

• The combined ages of the two spouses must not exceed 70 years.
• Maximum combined gross income: $165,000.
• At least one of the spouses must not have owned property in the last 5 years.
• The dwelling must be occupied as the primary residence.

👉 To quickly verify your situation, the City offers an online eligibility questionnaire:

Accès Famille – Check my eligibility

What housing is eligible?

The program does not apply to just any type of dwelling. The home you choose must meet several criteria:

• Be new and move-in ready, built by a contractor with a valid license.
• Be located within the Quebec City territory.
• Have a maximum sale price of $440,000 (taxes and rebates included).
• Offer at least two bedrooms with minimum dimensions defined by the municipal regulation.
• Include a minimal storage space, such as a closet or a storage shed.

👉 To ensure that the chosen project is eligible, consult the City’s official section: https://www.ville.quebec.qc.ca/apropos/programmes-subventions/habitation/acces_familles/index.aspx

Eligible housing – Accès Famille Program

How does repayment work?

The loan granted under Accès Famille carries no monthly payments or interest. However, it must be repaid in certain situations:

• During the sale of the property.
• During a refinancing that increases the mortgage burden.
• If the property is rented (loss of use as a primary residence).
• At the end of the initial amortization period of the mortgage.

Repayment includes the initial amount received plus a share of the profit realized on the home.

Concrete example

For a house priced at $440,000:

• Homeownership credit (5.5%): $24,200.
• Novoclimat Bonus (3.5%): $15,400.
• Total received: $39,600.

If the house increases in value and reaches $480,000 at the time of sale, the capital gain is $40,000. You would repay the loan of $24,200 plus a portion of the capital gain, i.e., about $2,200 (5.5%) or $3,600 (9%) depending on the case.

Steps to follow to benefit

Here’s the typical path to obtain the homeownership credit:

1. Obtain a mortgage pre-approval from your financial institution.
2. Fill out an eligibility attestation application (form available on the City’s site depending on your family situation).

• You will need to provide several documents: pre-approval, birth certificates, notices of assessment, proof of childcare, etc.

1. Receive the eligibility attestation, valid for 12 months.
2. Find an eligible dwelling and present your attestation to the contractor at the signing of the preliminary contract.
3. Submit an official homeownership credit application to the City with the technical documents provided by the contractor (plans, building permits, attestations).
4. The City confirms the amount of the credit and sends the agreement to be signed.
5. At the time of the notarial transaction, the credit is paid directly to the notary.

👉 To download the forms: https://www.ville.quebec.qc.ca/apropos/programmes-subventions/habitation/acces_familles/index.aspx

Accès Famille Forms – Quebec City

Limitations and points of vigilance

Before you get started, keep in mind a few important aspects:

• The program funds are limited: once exhausted, no new applications are accepted for the year.
• The City records a second mortgage lien on the property.
• The terms are governed by the By-law R.V.Q. 2263, which prevails in case of disputes.
• Processing times can take several weeks: prepare your documents promptly.

New: a pilot project for existing homes

Until now, Accès Famille targeted exclusively new homes. But the City has announced a pilot project that will be launched in 2026, allowing the program to be extended to existing homes.

The applications for this component will be accepted starting Fall 2025. If you are interested in an existing property, you can already sign up on the City’s waitlist at: https://www.ville.quebec.qc.ca/apropos/programmes-subventions/habitation/acces_familles/index.aspx

Waitlist registration – Existing homes

Helpful contacts

For any questions or to submit your documents:

• Email: projetaccesfamille@ville.quebec.qc.ca
• General information: habitation@ville.quebec.qc.ca
• Phone: 418 641-6186 (Building Grants Section)

Conclusion

The Accès Famille program represents a real opportunity for many households in Quebec City. By financing the down payment with an interest-free loan and no immediate repayment, the City reduces one of the biggest obstacles to purchasing a first property.

With the possibility of obtaining up to $39,600 of support (credit and Novoclimat bonus), this program enables families, couples, and even single parents to access homeownership more quickly and with greater peace of mind.

If you’re considering it, take the time to check your eligibility now and prepare your file. Since funds are limited, it’s always best to act quickly.

👉 To view all details, download the forms and verify your eligibility, visit the official page:

Accès Famille Program – Quebec City