Closed
Canada-Ontario Community Housing Initiative (COCHI) & Ontario Priorities Housing Initiative (OPHI)
Funding for Ontario community housing projects
Last Update: May 6, 2026
Funding available
$ 50,000
Timeline
- Closing date : February 15, 2021
Location
Ontario, Canada
Overview
This program supports community housing in Ontario through COCHI and OPHI funding. It helps finance repair, new supply, rental assistance, homeownership, and support services, with maximum support varying by component.
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Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Increase social or community impact
- Enhance an existing program
- Improve governance or administrative structure
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 50,000 $
- Up to 75% of project cost
Timeline
- Closing date : February 15, 2021
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- Construction
- Real estate and rental and leasing
- Public administration
Location
- Ontario
Legal structures
- All legal structures
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- All groups
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Repair, renovation, and regeneration of social housing and affordable housing.
- New rental housing construction, acquisition, conversion, and rehabilitation.
- Down payment assistance for eligible homebuyers.
- Rental assistance and housing support services.
Documents Needed
- Investment Plan
- Project Information Form
- Contribution Agreement or Funding Agreement, where applicable
- Letter of Agreement, where applicable
- Confirmation of security, where applicable
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Service Managers in Ontario.
- Community housing providers.
- Non-profit housing organizations, co-operatives, and municipal partners for eligible housing projects.
- Eligible homeownership, rental, and support service proponents under OPHI.
Who is not eligible
- Private-sector proponents without a required non-profit, municipal, or co-operative partnership for rental housing.
- Projects limited to rent supplement programs or rural and native homeownership programs under COCHI.
- Retirement homes, nursing homes, long-term care homes, and crisis care facilities for Ontario Renovates.
- Households already receiving social housing rent-geared-to-income subsidy for Rental Assistance.
Eligible expenses
- Repair and renovation work on community housing and affordable housing units.
- New construction, acquisition, conversion, or rehabilitation of eligible housing projects.
- Rent supplements, housing allowances, and operating support for eligible households or providers.
- Support services for eligible tenants.
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Projects that do not meet the program’s affordability or eligibility rules.
- Private-sector rental housing projects without the required non-profit, municipal, or co-operative partnership.
- Retirement homes, nursing homes, long-term care homes, and crisis care facilities under Ontario Renovates.
- Use of funds to replace municipal spending already in place before March 31, 2018.
- Deposits for OPHI Homeownership units.
Eligible geographic areas
- Ontario
Processing and Agreement
- Applications are reviewed by the Ministry after the Service Manager submits the required investment and project information.
- Approved projects are committed through the relevant agreement or letter of commitment.
- Funding is advanced based on projected disbursements and required reporting updates.
- Quarterly monitoring is used to track progress and may affect payments.
Additional information
- Service Managers must maintain quarterly Investment Plan updates and reporting.
- Projects may be subject to environmental compliance and French language service requirements.
- Funding must be committed within required timelines or it may be reallocated.
- Contribution Agreements and project approvals are required before funding is advanced.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the Canada-Ontario Community Housing Initiative (COCHI) & Ontario Priorities Housing Initiative (OPHI) Program
Here are answers to the most common questions about the Canada-Ontario Community Housing Initiative (COCHI) & Ontario Priorities Housing Initiative (OPHI). This section explains what the program is, how much funding is available, eligibility requirements, application deadlines, and other important details to help you determine if this grant is right for your business.
What is the Canada-Ontario Community Housing Initiative (COCHI) & Ontario Priorities Housing Initiative (OPHI)?
This program supports community housing in Ontario through COCHI and OPHI funding. It helps finance repair, new supply, rental assistance, homeownership, and support services, with maximum support varying by component.
How much funding can be received?
Canada-Ontario Community Housing Initiative (COCHI) & Ontario Priorities Housing Initiative (OPHI) Funds up to 75% of admissible expenses, capped at $50,000 per project.
Who is eligible for the Canada-Ontario Community Housing Initiative (COCHI) & Ontario Priorities Housing Initiative (OPHI) program?
To be eligible for the Canada-Ontario Community Housing Initiative (COCHI) & Ontario Priorities Housing Initiative (OPHI) program, you must:
Must fit an eligible program component.
Must meet affordability requirements.
Must align with local housing needs.
What expenses are eligible under Canada-Ontario Community Housing Initiative (COCHI) & Ontario Priorities Housing Initiative (OPHI)?
Repair, renovation, and regeneration of social housing and affordable housing.
New rental housing construction, acquisition, conversion, and rehabilitation.
Down payment assistance for eligible homebuyers.
Rental assistance and housing support services.
Who can I contact for more information about the Canada-Ontario Community Housing Initiative (COCHI) & Ontario Priorities Housing Initiative (OPHI)?
You can contact Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing (MMAH) by email at HousingProgramsDelivery@Ontario.ca or by phone at none.
Where is the Canada-Ontario Community Housing Initiative (COCHI) & Ontario Priorities Housing Initiative (OPHI) available?
The Canada-Ontario Community Housing Initiative (COCHI) & Ontario Priorities Housing Initiative (OPHI) program is available the province of Ontario.
Is the Canada-Ontario Community Housing Initiative (COCHI) & Ontario Priorities Housing Initiative (OPHI) a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Canada-Ontario Community Housing Initiative (COCHI) & Ontario Priorities Housing Initiative (OPHI) is a Grant and Funding