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APCHQ — Federal Lands Initiative
Provides discounted federal properties for long-term affordable housing development
Last Update: June 19, 2026
Funding available
Up to 30% of project cost
Timeline
- 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
- Up to 30% of project cost
Timeline
- Open continuously
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
1
Identify available surplus property
- Monitor the CMHC – National Housing Strategy website for surplus federal lands and buildings posted for affordable housing projects
- Review property details, including minimum unit counts and any specific development requirements
2
Confirm basic eligibility
- Confirm that your organization falls within an eligible category (e.g. community housing, non-profit, co‑operative, government, Indigenous, or for‑profit)
- Verify that your proposed project type is eligible (e.g. mixed‑income, mixed‑use, shelters, supportive, rental or affordable ownership)
3
Design project to meet criteria
- Design a project that meets affordability requirements (minimum 30% of units below 80% of Median Market Rent for at least 25 years)
- Incorporate required accessibility standards (CSA B651:23/652:23 or Rick Hansen Foundation GOLD, or full universal design)
- Plan to meet minimum energy performance (Tier 2 of the 2020 NECB or Tier 3 of the 2020 National Building Code)
4
Assemble supporting documentation
- Gather evidence of community need, such as a municipal support letter, housing market study or waiting lists for social or affordable housing
- Compile documentation demonstrating at least 5 years of experience in similar construction/renovation and operations
- Prepare financial analyses showing the project meets the minimum Debt Coverage Ratio (DCR) of 1.10
5
Complete required CMHC forms
- Download and complete the Federal Lands Initiative Application Guide to understand detailed requirements and process
- Fill out the Energy Efficiency Attestation form according to the selected code pathway
- Complete the Accessibility Attestation form based on the chosen accessibility standard
6
Submit full project application
- Submit a formal application to purchase or lease the selected federal property through the Federal Lands Initiative
- Ensure the proposal clearly addresses affordability, accessibility, environmental efficiency and identified community needs
- Confirm all required attestations and supporting documents are included before submission
7
Await evaluation results
- Wait for CMHC and Federal Lands Initiative partners to evaluate your proposal against program criteria and social outcomes
- Respond promptly if evaluators request clarifications or additional information during the review
8
Finalize agreements if approved
- Review the decision and, if selected, agree to the discounted or no‑cost sale or lease terms based on assessed social outcomes
- Sign required agreements confirming the property will be developed and maintained as affordable housing for at least 25 years or as specified
9
Develop and maintain housing
- Proceed with construction or renovation of the project in accordance with the approved plans and program commitments
- Ensure ongoing compliance with affordability, accessibility and energy efficiency obligations throughout the required period
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.
How much funding can be received?
APCHQ — Federal Lands Initiative Funds up to 30% of admissible expenses.
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 Other Support