Multi-unit mortgage Loan Insurance (MLI) Select

• Completed Request for Certificate of Insurance authorized by the approved lender.
• Evidence of equity or down payment source.
• Project rent roll or affordability support documents.
• Energy efficiency and accessibility attestations, where applicable.
• Property appraisal and financial statements, where required.

Who is eligible?

• Developers and owners of new multi-unit residential rental housing projects
• Owners or purchasers of existing multi-unit residential rental properties
• Organizations developing or operating single room occupancy (SRO) housing
• Organizations developing or operating supportive housing
• Organizations developing or operating retirement homes with at least 50 units/beds

Who is not eligible

• Projects subject to the Prohibition on the Purchase of Residential Property by Non-Canadians Act.

Eligible geographic areas

• Canada

• Affordability commitment and rent levels: projects are awarded 50, 70 or 100 points based on the share of units with rents at or below 30% of median renter income, with an extra 30 points for affordability commitments of 20 years or more.
• Energy efficiency and greenhouse gas performance: projects receive 20, 35 or 50 points depending on the percentage improvement in energy performance versus current baseline (existing properties) or 2020 NECB/NBC standards (new construction).
• Accessibility and universal design: projects earn 20 or 30 points based on the proportion of accessible or universal design units, visitability to CSA B651:23, and/or Rick Hansen Foundation Accessibility Certification level.
• Total MLI Select score: a minimum of 50 points is required to qualify; higher total scores (70 and 100+ points) provide access to more advantageous loan insurance conditions such as longer amortization, higher loan-to-value and potential limited recourse.

• Step 1: Contact CMHC for program guidance
  • Reach out to your Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) representative to learn more about MLI Select and how the incentives work.
  • Use the general contact options if you do not have a specific representative: phone 1-877-685-8446 (1-877 multi GO), or contact the CMHC Contact Centre at 1-800-668-2642 or contactcentre@cmhc.ca.
  • Request additional information or alternate format documentation if needed.
• Step 2: Determine project type and scope
  • Identify whether your project is new construction or an existing property.
  • Confirm that the project meets the minimum size requirements (at least 5 units, or at least 50 units/beds for retirement homes).
  • Verify that any non-residential component does not exceed 30% of the gross floor area and 30% of total lending value, and that any loan relating to the non-residential component does not exceed 75% of its lending value.
• Step 3: Select social outcome commitments and target point level
  • Decide which outcomes you will commit to: affordability, energy efficiency/greenhouse gas reductions, and/or accessibility.
  • Use CMHC’s point structure to determine how many points you will obtain from each outcome for your project type (new construction or existing property).
  • Ensure you reach at least 50 total points to qualify for MLI Select and determine whether you will target 50, 70, or 100+ points to access higher flexibilities.
  • If applicable, decide whether to commit to at least 20 years of affordability to obtain an additional 30 points.
• Step 4: Plan affordability, energy efficiency, and accessibility measures
  • For affordability, set the proportion of units that will have rents at or below 30% of median renter income, according to the point level you are targeting.
  • For energy efficiency, define the performance targets relative to current baseline (existing properties) or relative to NECB/NBC tiers (new construction), aligned with the level you intend to claim.
  • For accessibility, design the project to meet the minimum visitability standard (CSA B651:23) and the chosen accessibility/universal design or Rick Hansen Foundation certification level.
  • Integrate these commitments into project design, financial projections, and any construction or renovation plans.
• Step 5: Prepare supporting documentation for criteria
  • Gather documentation that will be required to demonstrate affordability (e.g., rent schedules and evidence to support compliance during the affordability period).
  • For energy efficiency and greenhouse gas reductions, prepare or obtain technical documentation that can confirm the targeted performance levels once work is complete.
  • For accessibility, prepare or plan to obtain documentation demonstrating compliance with CSA B651:23, universal design targets, or Rick Hansen Foundation Accessibility Certification v4.0 where applicable.
  • Align your documentation timeline with CMHC requirements, noting that proof of improvements may be required within specific time frames after construction or improvements are completed.
• Step 6: Coordinate with your lender for insured financing
  • Work with an approved lender to structure the proposed loan that will be backed by CMHC MLI Select mortgage loan insurance.
  • Determine the proposed loan-to-cost or loan-to-value ratio, amortization period, interest rate type, and any recourse or limited recourse structure, consistent with the points you plan to achieve.
  • Ensure the financial structure respects CMHC’s minimum debt coverage ratio requirements for the applicable shelter type.
• Step 7: Complete the CMHC mortgage loan insurance application
  • Prepare the formal mortgage loan insurance application for CMHC’s MLI Select product through your lender, including all required project, borrower, and financial information.
  • Include your chosen social outcome commitments (affordability, energy efficiency, accessibility) and the total MLI Select points you are targeting.
  • Attach any available supporting documents that are required at application stage, such as evidence of completed improvements when work has already been undertaken.
• Step 8: Submit the application through the lender to CMHC
  • Submit the completed MLI Select application to CMHC via your approved lender, following the lender’s submission process.
  • Ensure all required documents are transmitted with the application so CMHC can assess eligibility, points, and applicable flexibilities.
  • Confirm with your lender that the application has been received by CMHC and keep a record of any reference or file numbers provided.
• Step 9: Provide post-approval performance documentation
  • If insured financing is used for construction or improvements, provide documentation to CMHC confirming that the energy efficiency and accessibility criteria have been achieved within 60 days after the last advance.
  • If improvements are completed with your own resources or non-insured financing, submit documentation to CMHC confirming achievement of the efficiency and/or accessibility criteria within 24 months of the last advance.
  • For affordability, provide ongoing documentation as required by CMHC to demonstrate compliance with the affordability commitment for the entire affordability period.

• CMHC reviews the application and supporting documents through underwriting.
• Additional information may be requested before a decision is made.
• If approved, the Certificate of Insurance and related special conditions apply.
• Post-approval documentation may be required to confirm compliance with the selected criteria.

• MLI Select uses a point system to determine incentives.
• Affordability commitments can earn extra points when set for 20 years or more.
• CMHC may require additional documentation or risk mitigation measures in some cases.