Closed
Source verified September 19, 2026
Federal Lands Initiative
Provides discounted federal properties for long-term affordable housing development
Get notified when Federal Lands Initiative reopens
Latest source updateLast Update: September 19, 2026Latest change: A new CMHC student-housing source now shows eligibility, financing, application steps, and affordability requirements for the program.View change
Latest source update
Last Update: September 19, 2026
Latest change: A new CMHC student-housing source now shows eligibility, financing, application steps, and affordability requirements for the program.
Student housing financing details added
A CMHC student-housing source now provides detailed program rules for construction or conversion financing, including eligible borrowers, a minimum of 5 rental units, and a minimum loan size of $1 million. It also adds financing terms, affordability rules, location requirements, and a full application workflow with required documents and review steps. The source now states a fixed interest rate, up to 50-year amortization, and up to 100% loan-to-cost for residential space. It also introduces a 10-year affordability period, off-campus transit and bedroom limits, and a sequence that includes portal submission, conditional approval, underwriting, and loan agreement issuance.
Funding available
Varies by project
Deadline
Unspecified
Location
Laval, Quebec, Canada
Overview
The Federal Lands Initiative is a $318.9‑million program that supports the transfer or leasing of surplus federal lands and buildings at discounted or no cost for the development or renovation of affordable, sustainable and accessible housing. Eligible activities include acquiring surplus federal property and constructing or rehabilitating mixed-income, mixed-use, rental, supportive, transitional, shelter and affordable homeownership housing projects that meet affordability, accessibility, energy efficiency and community need requirements.
Receipt of requests is now closed
Get notified about updates to this grant.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Develop strategic partnerships
- Increase social or community impact
- Implement environmental initiatives
Eligible Funding
- Varies by project
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Laval
- Quebec
Legal structures
- Non-financial cooperative
- For-profit business
- Social economy enterprise
- Non-profit
- Public or Parapublic institution
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Canadians
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
- Economic, Social and Community Development
- Housing
Target groups
- All the groups
Revenue structures
- All structures
Scope
- Municipal
- Provincial
- National
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Availability timeline
2026
Periods: 1
Activities funded
- Mixed-income.
- Mixed-use, with commercial space not exceeding 30% of gross floor area.
- Mixed-tenure.
- Shelters, transitional housing and supportive housing.
- Rental housing and affordable homeownership.
Documents Needed
- Application Guide
- Energy Efficiency Attestation
- Accessibility Attestation
Official resources
Program guide
Application form
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Community housing organizations
- Non-profit organizations or registered charities
- Co-operative housing organizations
- Municipal, provincial and territorial governments including their agencies
- Indigenous governments and organizations, including Tribal Councils
- For profit organizations
Eligible geographic areas
- Canada
Selection criteria
- Proposals are evaluated based on accessibility, affordability, environmental efficiency and community need.
How to apply
- Create your Log-in Profile in the CMHC Portal
- Complete your Portal Profile
- Link your Portal Profile to your Organization
- Select the program and provide project name
- Enter a Land ID
- Submit your Application
Processing and Agreement
- Proposals are evaluated based on accessibility, affordability, environmental efficiency and community need.
- Winning application is selected and property is sold or leased at discounted to no cost.
- Agreements are signed to ensure the property is developed and maintained as affordable housing for no less than 25 years or as otherwise specified.
Additional information
- The Federal Lands Initiative is a $318.9 million fund that facilitates the transfer or leasing of surplus federal lands and buildings specifically for affordable housing development or renovation.
- Properties made available can be transferred or leased at discounted or no cost, with the level of discount tied to the social outcomes proposed.
- Participating projects must ensure that the property remains developed and maintained as affordable housing for at least 25 years, or as otherwise specified in the agreements.
- The program is led by CMHC in collaboration with Public Services and Procurement Canada, Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada, and Canada Lands Company.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the Federal Lands Initiative Program
What is the Federal Lands Initiative?
The Federal Lands Initiative is a $318.9‑million program that supports the transfer or leasing of surplus federal lands and buildings at discounted or no cost for the development or renovation of affordable, sustainable and accessible housing. Eligible activities include acquiring surplus federal property and constructing or rehabilitating mixed-income, mixed-use, rental, supportive, transitional, shelter and affordable homeownership housing projects that meet affordability, accessibility, energy efficiency and community need requirements.
Who is eligible for the Federal Lands Initiative program?
To be eligible for the Federal Lands Initiative program, you must:
Applicant must be a housing provider such as community housing, non-profit, charity, co-operative, government body, Indigenous organization or for-profit entity.
Applicant or team must have at least 5 years’ experience in construction/renovation and operation of similar-sized housing projects.
Project must meet minimum affordability, accessibility, energy efficiency, community-need and financial viability (DCR ≥ 1.10) requirements.
What expenses are eligible under Federal Lands Initiative?
Mixed-income.
Mixed-use, with commercial space not exceeding 30% of gross floor area.
Mixed-tenure.
Shelters, transitional housing and supportive housing.
Rental housing and affordable homeownership.
Who can I contact for more information about the Federal Lands Initiative?
You can contact Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) by email at contactcentre@cmhc.ca or by phone at 1-800-668-2642.
Where is the Federal Lands Initiative available?
The Federal Lands Initiative program is available Laval, Quebec.
Is the Federal Lands Initiative a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Federal Lands Initiative is a Grant and Funding
Who are the financial supporters of the Federal Lands Initiative?
Federal Lands Initiative is funded by Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), Public Services and Procurement Canada