Open
Source verified July 12, 2026
APCHQ — Federal Lands Initiative
Provides discounted federal properties for long-term affordable housing development
Latest source updateLast Update: July 12, 2026Latest change: The Cochrane property is now closed and under evaluation, and the Federal Lands Initiative page now features a different showcased property tile.View change
Latest source update
Last Update: July 12, 2026
Latest change: The Cochrane property is now closed and under evaluation, and the Federal Lands Initiative page now features a different showcased property tile.
Federal Lands Initiative update
The Cochrane property page now says the competition is closed and that the submitted proposals are being evaluated; the earlier submission deadline shown there was June 26, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. ET. The Federal Lands Initiative page also changed its showcased property tile, replacing the previously featured Cochrane link with a different property link and updated property preview text.
Funding available
Varies by project
Deadline
Open continuously
Location
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.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
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
- Canada
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
Activities funded
- Development of new affordable, sustainable, accessible and socially inclusive housing on surplus federal lands or in surplus federal buildings.
- Renovation or conversion of existing surplus federal buildings into affordable housing that meets community needs.
- Creation of mixed-income residential projects on federal properties, combining affordable units with other market-rate housing.
- Development of mixed-use projects on federal sites that combine affordable housing with limited commercial space (up to 30% of the gross floor area).
- Implementation of specialized affordable housing projects such as shelters, transitional housing, supportive housing, rental housing or affordable homeownership on surplus federal lands.
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 and registered charities
- Co-operative housing organizations
- Municipal, provincial and territorial governments and their agencies
- Indigenous governments and organizations, including Tribal Councils
- For-profit organizations
Eligible geographic areas
- Canada
Selection criteria
- Level of affordability offered, including the proportion of units below 80% of Median Market Rent and the length of time affordability is guaranteed.
- Degree of accessibility provided, including the share of accessible units and barrier-free common areas or adherence to full universal design standards.
- Energy efficiency performance, measured against the required tiers of the National Energy Code / National Building Code.
- Evidence that the project responds to a demonstrated community housing need, supported by documentation such as municipal letters, market studies or waiting lists.
- Experience and capacity of the proponent team to deliver and operate a project of similar size and scope, as well as overall financial viability (including meeting the minimum debt coverage ratio).
How to apply
- Step 1
- Review the property opportunity and program resources.
- Download the Application Guide, Energy Efficiency Attestation and Accessibility Attestation.
- Step 2
- Prepare the application and supporting information required by the specific property opportunity.
- Follow the submission instructions in the relevant call or competition.
- Step 3
- Submit the completed application through the method indicated by CMHC.
- Wait for CMHC to review the proposal and notify applicants of the outcome.
Processing and Agreement
- Applications are reviewed after submission and evaluated against affordability, accessibility, environmental efficiency and community need.
- Selection also considers proponent experience and the project proposed.
- Successful applicants sign agreements before the property is transferred or leased.
- Selected properties must be developed and maintained as affordable housing for at least 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 APCHQ — Federal Lands Initiative Program
What is the APCHQ — 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 APCHQ — Federal Lands Initiative program?
To be eligible for the APCHQ — 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 APCHQ — Federal Lands Initiative?
Development of new affordable, sustainable, accessible and socially inclusive housing on surplus federal lands or in surplus federal buildings.
Renovation or conversion of existing surplus federal buildings into affordable housing that meets community needs.
Creation of mixed-income residential projects on federal properties, combining affordable units with other market-rate housing.
Development of mixed-use projects on federal sites that combine affordable housing with limited commercial space (up to 30% of the gross floor area).
Implementation of specialized affordable housing projects such as shelters, transitional housing, supportive housing, rental housing or affordable homeownership on surplus federal lands.
Who can I contact for more information about the APCHQ — Federal Lands Initiative?
You can contact Association des professionnels de la construction et de l’habitation du Québec (APCHQ) by email at contactcentre@cmhc.ca or by phone at 1-800-668-2642.
Where is the APCHQ — Federal Lands Initiative available?
The APCHQ — Federal Lands Initiative program is available across Canada.
Is the APCHQ — Federal Lands Initiative a grant, loan, or tax credit?
APCHQ — Federal Lands Initiative is a Grant and Funding
Who are the financial supporters of the APCHQ — Federal Lands Initiative?
APCHQ — Federal Lands Initiative is funded by Association des professionnels de la construction et de l’habitation du Québec (APCHQ), Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), Public Services and Procurement Canada