Closed
Source verified July 14, 2026
CMHC - Seed Funding
Early development financing for affordable housing
Funding available
$ 500,000
Deadline
June 30, 2026
Location
Canada
Who can apply
Community housing providers, including public or private non-profit housing organizations and rental co-operatives, including those serving Indigenous and/or northern populations
See full eligibility
Overview
Seed Funding supports community housing providers, governments, Indigenous organizations, and private developers with up to $350,000 in interest-free loans and up to $150,000 in non-repayable contributions for early development financing of affordable housing projects in Canada. It covers predevelopment work for new construction, renovations, conversions, feasibility studies, business plans, and environmental or technical assessments.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Increase social or community impact
- Reduce environmental footprint
- Renovate or expand facilities
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 500,000 $
- Up to 100% of project cost
Funds Providers
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Canada
Legal structures
- Non-profit
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- All groups
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
- All industries
Target groups
- All the groups
Revenue structures
- All structures
Scope
- All dimensions
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Predevelopment activities related to the construction or renovation of affordable housing
- Indigenous community housing, community and affordable housing, and mixed-use market or affordable rental units
- Shelters, transitional housing, and supportive housing
- Conversion of non-residential buildings into affordable multi-residential housing
- Renovation of existing affordable housing
Documents Needed
- Signed Integrity Declaration form
- Proof of incorporation or legal status, such as articles, registrations, or band council resolutions
- Copies of consultant or agent agreements, and authorization to apply on behalf of a third party where applicable
- CMHC Viability Assessment workbook and required financial information
- Financial statements, property information, and land documents such as offers to purchase, options to purchase, leases, purchase-sale agreements, and registered encumbrances
- Project documents such as plans and drawings, construction cost estimates, construction economist documents, contract documents, planning permits, final financial viability reports, and work completion assessments
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Community housing providers, including public or private non-profit housing organizations and rental co-operatives, including those serving Indigenous and/or northern populations
- Provincial and territorial governments and municipal governments, including their agencies and those serving Indigenous and/or northern populations
- Indigenous governments and organizations, including First Nation bands and tribal councils
- Private entrepreneurs, builders, and developers
Eligible expenses
- Need and demand analysis, special-purpose surveys, and preliminary financial feasibility work
- Business plans, incorporation, option to purchase, and registration of security
- Professional appraisal, site surveys, planning fees, and preliminary design
- Project viability studies, environmental site assessments, and geotechnical reports
- Energy modelling, accessibility modelling, and other technical studies such as wind, shade, and traffic analyses
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Activities completed before the approval date are not eligible for funding and will not be reimbursed
Processing and Agreement
- Loan disbursements are made when invoices have been provided, the activities have been completed, and supporting documents have been received
- Activities completed before the approval date are not eligible and will not be reimbursed
Additional information
- For projects on First Nation lands, CMHC accepts four additional alternative types of security in addition to a Ministerial Loan Guarantee.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the CMHC - Seed Funding Program
What is the CMHC - Seed Funding?
Seed Funding supports community housing providers, governments, Indigenous organizations, and private developers with up to $350,000 in interest-free loans and up to $150,000 in non-repayable contributions for early development financing of affordable housing projects in Canada. It covers predevelopment work for new construction, renovations, conversions, feasibility studies, business plans, and environmental or technical assessments.
How much funding can be received?
CMHC - Seed Funding Funds up to 100% of admissible expenses, capped at $500,000 per project.
Who is eligible for the CMHC - Seed Funding program?
To be eligible for the CMHC - Seed Funding program, you must:
Affordable housing development or renovation
At least 5 affordable housing units or beds
Residential primary use
What expenses are eligible under CMHC - Seed Funding?
Predevelopment activities related to the construction or renovation of affordable housing
Indigenous community housing, community and affordable housing, and mixed-use market or affordable rental units
Shelters, transitional housing, and supportive housing
Conversion of non-residential buildings into affordable multi-residential housing
Renovation of existing affordable housing
Who can I contact for more information about the CMHC - Seed Funding?
You can contact Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) by email at centrecontact@schl.ca or by phone at 1-800-668-2642.
Where is the CMHC - Seed Funding available?
The CMHC - Seed Funding program is available across Canada.
Is the CMHC - Seed Funding a grant, loan, or tax credit?
CMHC - Seed Funding is a Grant and Funding