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APCHQ — Get financing through the Canada Greener Affordable Housing program: Retrofit Funding for multi-unit residential buildings
Last Update: March 3, 2026
Canada
Financing for deep energy retrofits in affordable multi-unit housing
Grant and Funding
Loans and Capital investments
Overview
The Canada Greener Affordable Housing — Retrofit Funding program offers up to $170,000 per unit in a combination of low-interest repayable and forgivable loans to finance deep energy retrofits of multi-unit (5+ units) affordable residential buildings. Funding supports retrofit measures and activities that target a 70% reduction in energy consumption and an 80% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions compared to pre-retrofit performance.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Reduce the ecological footprint
- Renovate your business/factory
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 170,000 $
- Up to 80% of project cost
Timeline
- Open continuously
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- Real estate and rental and leasing
Location
- Canada
Legal structures
- Non-profit
- Public or Parapublic institution
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Indigenous Peoples
- Rural or Northern Residents
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
- All industries
Target groups
- All the groups
Revenue structures
- All structures
Scope
- All dimensions
Activities funded
- Deep energy retrofit projects for existing multi-unit (5+ units or beds) residential buildings to significantly reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.
- Retrofit initiatives in affordable, community, or Indigenous housing that enhance climate resilience and support Canada’s net-zero 2050 objectives.
- Energy retrofit projects for mixed-income or mixed-use properties where the primary use is residential and includes affordable rental housing.
- Retrofit projects for shelters, transitional and supportive housing, and single-room occupancy buildings aimed at improving energy performance and reducing emissions.
Eligibility
- The applicant must have an affordable housing purpose and a proven mandate to provide housing to lower-income households or populations in need.
- The applicant must be one of the following: a community housing provider (non-profit housing organization, public housing agency, rental co-operative), an Indigenous government or organization (including First Nations, Tribal Councils, Indigenous housing providers), or a provincial, territorial or municipal government.
- The project property must be primarily residential, include at least 5 units or beds, and generally be at least 20 years old (with potential flexibility on age for Indigenous, Northern or remote organizations).
- The property must be an eligible housing type, such as mixed-income rental or mixed-use with affordable rental housing, community housing, affordable rental housing, Indigenous community housing and cultural spaces, shelters, transitional or supportive housing, or single-room occupancy, with any non-residential space not exceeding 30% of the total gross floor area.
- The retrofit project must target deep energy performance improvements, specifically a 70% reduction in energy consumption and an 80% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions compared to pre-retrofit performance, and the applicant must meet CMHC’s financial viability and security requirements (including minimum debt coverage ratios and acceptable mortgage security).
Who is eligible?
- Community housing providers (non-profit housing organizations, public housing agencies, rental co-operatives)
- Indigenous governments and organizations (including First Nations, Tribal Councils, Indigenous housing providers)
- Provincial, territorial and municipal governments
- Organizations that own or operate mixed-income rental or mixed-use properties with affordable rental housing
- Organizations that own or operate shelters, transitional and supportive housing, single-room occupancy, affordable rental and Indigenous community housing
Who is not eligible
- Private market housing organizations, including private-sector landlords and for-profit residential real estate companies.
- Projects where the non-residential portion of the building exceeds 30% of the total gross floor area.
Eligible expenses
- Costs of major energy-efficient renovations of residential buildings aimed at significantly reducing energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions (materials, work and interventions directly related to these improvements).
- Expenses related to the activities necessary to achieve the climate objectives of the renovation project (for example, studies and expert reports demonstrating the targeted energy performance).
Eligible geographic areas
- Organizations located anywhere in Canada (federal program administered by Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation).
- On-reserve Indigenous communities within Canada are explicitly included.
Selection criteria
- Achievement of environmental outcomes, particularly the depth of reductions in energy consumption and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
- Project readiness, with a preference for projects able to start construction within 6 months of selection.
- Number of housing units impacted by the retrofit project.
- Extent to which the project serves National Housing Strategy priority populations.
How to apply
1
Confirm eligibility and requirements
- Review the program highlight sheet, applicant guide and portal guide provided by CMHC
- Confirm that your organization and property types meet the eligibility criteria
- Verify that your project can target required energy and GHG reductions
2
Prepare technical and financial data
- Arrange for professional energy assessments and reports showing how climate objectives will be achieved
- Develop a detailed retrofit scope of work with cost estimates and timelines
- Ensure your financial projections meet CMHC debt coverage and security requirements
3
Complete required program forms
- Download and complete the Retrofit Funding Assessment Calculator (XSL)
- Complete the Integrity Declaration form (PDF)
- Complete the Energy Assessment Attestation form (PDF)
4
Complete online portal application
- Create your profile in the CMHC online application portal following the portal guide
- Enter project, organizational, technical and financial information into the portal
- Upload all required documents listed in the documentation checklist
5
Submit the funding application
- Submit your application package through the CMHC portal during the callout period
- Ensure all mandatory forms and supporting documents are included at submission
- Keep copies of all submitted materials for your records
6
Follow up during CMHC review
- Respond promptly to any CMHC requests for clarification or additional information
- Await CMHC’s eligibility review and financial analysis after the application window closes
- Track timelines, as reviews may be completed in as little as 60 days
7
Accept conditional funding agreement
- Review the conditional loan agreement sent by CMHC if your project is approved
- Confirm your understanding of funding terms, reporting and benchmarking obligations
- Sign and return the agreement according to CMHC instructions
8
Meet conditions and receive advances
- Provide all required documents at least 10 days before each drawdown date
- Meet all advancing conditions outlined in the loan agreement to avoid cancellation or changes
- Begin construction within 6 months if your project was prioritized for readiness
9
Complete retrofits and required reporting
- Complete the retrofit work according to the approved scope, budget and timelines
- Benchmark post-retrofit energy performance using ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager
- Report actual energy use and GHG emissions to CMHC at 1-year and 10-years post-retrofit, providing utility bills if requested
Additional information
- Funding is delivered through a callout, application-based process, with set application windows.
- CMHC aims to complete eligibility review and financial analysis within about 60 days after the application window closes, assuming all documents are provided.
- Applications may be cancelled or CMHC’s funding commitment changed if advancing conditions are not met within required time frames.
- Energy modelling and program compliance may be subject to random or targeted quality assurance reviews, including requests for utility bills.
