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Canada Greener Affordable Housing — Retrofit Funding

Financing for deep energy retrofits in affordable multi-unit housing

Offered by

Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC)

Source change captured September 16, 2026

Funding available: $ 170,000; Up to 80% of project cost
Deadline: Unspecified
Location: Canada
Who can apply: Community housing providers (non-profit housing organizations, public housing agencies, rental co-operatives); See full eligibility

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

Maximum funding: $170,000
Maximum share of project costs: 80%

Financing goals

Reduce environmental footprint
Renovate or expand facilities

Eligible candidates

Location: Canada
Eligible Industries: All industries
Annual revenue: All revenue ranges
Organisation size: All organization sizes
Audience: Indigenous Peoples
Rural or Northern Residents
Legal structures: Non-profit, Public or Parapublic institution

Receipt of requests is now closed

Get notified about updates to this grant.

Availability timeline

2026

Periods: 1

Latest changes

September 16, 2026

Portal application guide updated

CMHC updated the portal guide for creating a profile and starting an application, with reorganized instructions for registration, organization linking, document uploads, contributors, and submission steps.

CMHC updated the guide How to Create a Profile and Start an Application, reorganizing the instructions for creating a portal profile, linking that profile to an organization, and starting a new application. The revised guide also clarifies the steps for uploading documents, managing contributors, assigning applications, and proceeding through terms and conditions.

Official source: assets.cmhc-schl.gc.ca

September 16, 2026

Eligibility

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.

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.

How to apply

Create a profile in the CMHC Portal before submitting an application.
Select the program and enter the project name.
Review the Terms and Conditions and agree to them.
Complete the application details and add the relevant supporting documents.
Review the application and submit it, or save it for later in draft status.

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.

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.

Official sources

Frequently Asked Questions about the Canada Greener Affordable Housing — Retrofit Funding Program

What is the Canada Greener Affordable Housing — Retrofit Funding?

How much funding can be received?

Canada Greener Affordable Housing — Retrofit Funding Funds up to 80% of admissible expenses, capped at $170,000 per project.

Who is eligible for the Canada Greener Affordable Housing — Retrofit Funding program?

To be eligible for the Canada Greener Affordable Housing — Retrofit Funding program, you must: Applicant must have an affordable housing purpose and a mandate to serve lower-income or vulnerable populations. Eligible applicants include community housing providers, Indigenous governments/organizations, and provincial, territorial or municipal governments. Private market housing organizations are not eligible.

What expenses are eligible under Canada Greener Affordable Housing — Retrofit Funding?

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).

Who can I contact for more information about the Canada Greener Affordable Housing — Retrofit Funding?

You can contact Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC).

Where is the Canada Greener Affordable Housing — Retrofit Funding available?

The Canada Greener Affordable Housing — Retrofit Funding program is available across Canada.

Is the Canada Greener Affordable Housing — Retrofit Funding a grant, loan, or tax credit?

Canada Greener Affordable Housing — Retrofit Funding is a Grant and Funding

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