Affordable Housing Innovation Fund

Q: How much funding can be received?

There is no informations about how much funding can be received.

Q: What is the deadline to apply?

The deadline to apply is not specified.

Q: Is the Affordable Housing Innovation Fund a grant, loan, or tax credit?

Affordable Housing Innovation Fund is a Grant and Funding

Q: Who are the financial supporters of the Affordable Housing Innovation Fund?

Affordable Housing Innovation Fund is funded by Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC)

Q: Who can I contact for more information about the Affordable Housing Innovation Fund?

You can contact Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) or by phone at 1-800-668-2642.

Q: Where is the Affordable Housing Innovation Fund available?

The Affordable Housing Innovation Fund program is available across Canada.

Last Update: July 22, 2025

Canada

Supporting scalable innovative affordable housing solutions

At a glance

Eligible Funding

No Condition

Timeline

Unspecified

Financing Type

Grant and Funding

Eligible Industries

Construction
Real estate and rental and leasing
Health care and social assistance

Funds Providers

Unspecified

Program status

Open

Overview

The Affordable Housing Innovation Fund supports scalable and replicable solutions for homelessness, prioritizing projects using modular and prefabricated construction. Funding is available for developing innovative housing solutions that enhance affordability and sustainability, with the available funding adjusted based on received proposals.

Financing terms and conditions

Funding is available for a duration of six years starting from 2022 or until all funds have been allocated, whichever comes first.
Financing can be in various forms, including innovative funding options and flexible financial support arrangements.
A security interest may be required depending on the specifics of the proposal.
The funding amount and type will depend on the proposals received.

Activities funded

Developing modular and prefabricated construction solutions to address homelessness.
Creating scalable and replicable housing delivery solutions.
Designing and implementing Community Encampment Response Plans through involvement in the Unsheltered Homelessness and Encampment Initiative.
Innovating in affordable housing through new financial models or unique designs.
Testing and implementing resource-efficient technologies that are scalable and reproducible.
Establishing partnerships to enhance housing innovation initiatives.

Examples of admissible projects:

$ 150,000

Developing a technology bootcamp for unemployed adults

$ 100,000

Establishing a community arts center for urban youth

$ 85,000

Expanding a mobile dental clinic for underserved areas

$ 60,000

Establishing a local recycling and waste reduction program

$ 70,000

Launching a sustainable organic farm initiative

$ 50,000

Creating a renewable energy awareness campaign

Eligibility

The applicant must be a municipality, province, territory, private sector developer or builder, non-profit housing provider, community housing organization, Indigenous government, or organization.
The project should involve innovative approaches to affordable housing, including new financing models or unique designs that reduce costs and risks.
The proposal must demonstrate how it will maintain affordability for at least 10 years.
The project must show financial sustainability and outline the availability of financial resources.
The applicant must provide a knowledge transfer plan, including information collection and dissemination strategies.

Who is eligible?

Municipalities, provinces, and territories
Private sector developers and builders
Non-profit housing providers and community housing organizations
Indigenous governments and organizations
Any other housing providers interested in developing and testing innovative approaches to affordable housing

Eligible expenses

Personnel salaries and benefits for roles directly related to the project.
Purchase of equipment and materials necessary for the execution of affordable housing projects.
Consulting fees for housing innovation strategies and technical support.
Cost of construction, including modular and prefabricated methods.
Feasibility studies and related supporting documentation for the proposed innovations.

Eligible geographic areas

Municipalities in Canada
Provinces and territories in Canada
Indigenous governments and organizations in Canada

Selection criteria

Innovation in affordable housing solutions, including transformative, groundbreaking, and progressive innovations.
Affordability, with evidence of maintaining affordable housing for at least 10 years.
Financial sustainability, including availability of financial resources and reduced dependency on government grants.
Knowledge transfer and strategy for disseminating acquired knowledge and lessons.
Addressing housing needs of identified priority populations.
Project's contribution to increasing accessible housing stock.
Reduction in energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.
Development of partnerships and the potential for scalability and replicability of the solution.

How to apply

Consult the application guide

Download and review the application guide to obtain the necessary information for creating your profile and starting the application process.

Create profile and register

Access the online application portal for the Affordable Housing Innovation Fund.
Create a profile by providing the required information.
Save all the necessary information for the project in preparation for submitting your application.

Prepare the application

Draft a project proposal that demonstrates how it meets the criteria of innovation, affordability, financial sustainability, and knowledge transfer.
Gather supporting documents related to your organization and your innovation project, such as integrity declarations, detailed presentation of the innovation, and financial information.

Submit the application online

Log in to the online portal to upload all required documents.
Complete the online application form, ensuring the accuracy and completeness of the information provided.
Submit your application through the online application portal.

Follow-up and confirmation

Receive a submission confirmation email with your application number.
Keep this confirmation for your records and for any necessary follow-up.

Evaluation and waiting for responses

CMHC will continuously review your application, considering prioritization criteria.
You will be contacted for additional documents or clarifications if necessary.

Additional information

The application portal for the Affordable Housing Innovation Fund is open for new submissions.
Interested applicants should download and review the application guide before beginning their application.
Priority is given to projects using modular and prefabricated construction methods to address homelessness.
Communities with Community Encampment Response Plans and previous applicants with proven homelessness solution experience are prioritized.
Applicants should demonstrate innovations that ensure financial sustainability and reduce dependency on government grants.
Knowledge transfer plans are required, detailing how project insights will be shared with stakeholders.
The fund is open until all allocated funds are distributed, with an availability timeline of up to six years starting from 2022.
Applicants are required to submit supporting documents for their proposal, outlining innovation, affordability, and sustainability details.

Contacts

1-800-668-2642

Apply to this program

Frequently Asked Questions about the Affordable Housing Innovation Fund Program

Here are answers to the most common questions about the Affordable Housing Innovation Fund. 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 Affordable Housing Innovation Fund?

How much funding can be received?

What is the deadline to apply?

Is the Affordable Housing Innovation Fund a grant, loan, or tax credit?

Who are the financial supporters of the Affordable Housing Innovation Fund?

Who is eligible for the Affordable Housing Innovation Fund program?

To be eligible for the Affordable Housing Innovation Fund program, you must: Eligible applicants include municipalities, provinces, territories, private sector developers and builders, non-profit housing providers, community housing organizations, Indigenous governments and organizations, and other interested housing providers. Proposals must demonstrate how they address the affordability criteria as defined by the local municipality or province where the housing project will be located. Applicants must demonstrate the financial capability to sustain the residential project and reduce dependency on government subsidies.