Open
APCHQ — Apartment Construction Loan Program: Student Housing
Low-cost federal financing to build and convert dedicated student housing
Last Update: March 3, 2026
Funding available
$ 1,000,000
Timeline
- Open continuously
Location
Canada
Overview
The Apartment Construction Loan Program: Student Housing offers low-cost loans starting from $1 million, with up to 100% loan-to-cost financing for residential space (and up to 75% for non-residential space), to support student housing projects. It finances the construction of new student residences or the conversion of non-residential buildings into permanent, long-term rental housing for students.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Reduce environmental footprint
Eligible Funding
- Minimum amount : 1,000,000 $
- Up to 100% of project cost
Timeline
- Open continuously
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- Educational services
Location
- Canada
Legal structures
- Non-profit
- Public or Parapublic institution
- For-profit business
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Youth (<40)
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
- All industries
Target groups
- All the groups
Revenue structures
- All structures
Scope
- All dimensions
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Construction of new on-campus student housing buildings with at least 5 rental units.
- Construction of new off-campus, self-contained student housing projects located near a post-secondary campus.
- Conversion of existing non-residential buildings into on-campus student housing.
- Conversion of existing non-residential buildings into off-campus, self-contained student housing close to a post-secondary institution.
- Development of long-term, purpose-built rental housing projects specifically designed to meet local student housing needs.
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Post-secondary educational institutions
- For-profit developers
- Non-profit developers
- Other levels of government
Eligible expenses
- Construction costs for new student housing units in residential space.
- Costs to convert existing non-residential buildings into student housing.
- Development and construction expenses for non-residential components of the project, up to 75% loan-to-cost.
- Interest costs during construction, financed by the loan as interest-only payments.
- Principal and interest payments on the loan from stabilization to the end of the term.
Eligible geographic areas
- Businesses and organizations located in Canada (federally administered by Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation).
Additional information
- CMHC mortgage loan insurance is automatically included; borrowers do not pay the insurance premium but may need to pay applicable provincial sales tax.
- Selected applications receive conditional approval within 30 days of submitting a complete application.
- For off‑campus projects, a post‑secondary institution must be involved, which can include roles such as developing, managing, leasing units or supporting student tenant selection.
- For off‑campus projects, units must be self‑contained and limited to a maximum of four bedrooms per unit.
Frequently Asked Questions about the APCHQ — Apartment Construction Loan Program: Student Housing Program
Here are answers to the most common questions about the APCHQ — Apartment Construction Loan Program: Student Housing. This section explains what the program is, how much funding is available, eligibility requirements, application deadlines, and other important details to help you determine if this grant is right for your business.
What is the APCHQ — Apartment Construction Loan Program: Student Housing?
The Apartment Construction Loan Program: Student Housing offers low-cost loans starting from $1 million, with up to 100% loan-to-cost financing for residential space (and up to 75% for non-residential space), to support student housing projects. It finances the construction of new student residences or the conversion of non-residential buildings into permanent, long-term rental housing for students.
How much funding can be received?
APCHQ — Apartment Construction Loan Program: Student Housing Funds up to 100% of admissible expenses.
Who is eligible for the APCHQ — Apartment Construction Loan Program: Student Housing program?
To be eligible for the APCHQ — Apartment Construction Loan Program: Student Housing program, you must:
Borrower must be a post-secondary institution, for-profit developer, non-profit developer or other level of government.
Must demonstrate financial and operational capacity to carry the project without ongoing subsidies and meet debt coverage ratio requirements.
What expenses are eligible under APCHQ — Apartment Construction Loan Program: Student Housing?
Construction of new on-campus student housing buildings with at least 5 rental units.
Construction of new off-campus, self-contained student housing projects located near a post-secondary campus.
Conversion of existing non-residential buildings into on-campus student housing.
Conversion of existing non-residential buildings into off-campus, self-contained student housing close to a post-secondary institution.
Development of long-term, purpose-built rental housing projects specifically designed to meet local student housing needs.
Who can I contact for more information about the APCHQ — Apartment Construction Loan Program: Student Housing?
You can contact Association des professionnels de la construction et de l’habitation du Québec (APCHQ).
Where is the APCHQ — Apartment Construction Loan Program: Student Housing available?
The APCHQ — Apartment Construction Loan Program: Student Housing program is available across Canada.
Is the APCHQ — Apartment Construction Loan Program: Student Housing a grant, loan, or tax credit?
APCHQ — Apartment Construction Loan Program: Student Housing is a Loans and Capital investments