APCHQ — Federal Lands Initiative

• The applicant can be a community housing organization, non-profit or registered charity, co-operative housing provider, municipal, provincial or territorial government (or agency), Indigenous government or organization (including Tribal Councils), or a for-profit organization.
• The project must involve developing or renovating surplus federal land or buildings into affordable housing (e.g., rental, shelters, transitional, supportive, mixed-income, mixed-use, mixed-tenure, or affordable homeownership).
• The project must meet minimum affordability, accessibility and energy efficiency standards set by the Federal Lands Initiative.
• The applicant (or its project team) must demonstrate at least 5 years of experience in the construction/renovation and operation of projects of similar size and scope.
• The project must be financially viable, including meeting a minimum debt coverage ratio (DCR) of 1.10 and demonstrating clear community need (e.g., municipal support letter, market study or waiting lists).

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

• Organizations located anywhere in Canada, as this is a federal program administered by Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC).

• 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).

• 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.