Open
Source verified August 5, 2026
Multi-unit mortgage Loan Insurance (MLI) Select
Mortgage insurance for affordable multi-unit housing
Funding available
Varies by project
Deadline
Open continuously
Location
Canada
Who can apply
Developers and owners of new multi-unit residential rental housing projects
See full eligibility
Overview
CMHC MLI Select provides mortgage loan insurance for multi-unit residential projects, offering up to 95% loan-to-cost or loan-to-value on eligible new and existing properties. It supports affordable, energy-efficient and accessible housing through reduced premiums, longer amortization periods, lower debt coverage ratios and flexibility for new and existing properties.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Increase social or community impact
- Obtain certifications or accreditations
- Reduce environmental footprint
Eligible Funding
- Varies by project
Funds Providers
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Canada
Legal structures
- For-profit business
- Non-profit
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Canadians
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
- New and existing projects.
- Standard rental buildings, single room occupancies (SRO), supportive housing and retirement homes.
- Student housing projects only qualify under energy efficiency and accessibility.
Documents Needed
- A completed Request for Certificate of Insurance authorized by the Approved Lender.
- Substantiation of the amount and source of equity/down payment.
- Attestation for social outcomes (PDF)
- Attestation for energy efficiency – 2020 NECB or 2020 NBC (PDF)
- Attestation for accessibility (PDF)
Official resources
Application form
Eligibility
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
Selection criteria
- 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.
How to apply
- At time of application, the Approved Lender must submit to CMHC Underwriting documentation provided by the borrower that demonstrates the borrower’s commitment to achieving the Energy Efficiency Criteria.
Processing and Agreement
- At time of application, the Approved Lender must submit to CMHC Underwriting documentation provided by the borrower that demonstrates the borrower’s commitment to achieving the Energy Efficiency Criteria.
- Within 60 days of the final advance, the Approved Lender must obtain from the borrower a signed attestation stating that the Energy Efficiency Criteria has been satisfied.
- Documentation is required to support on-going compliance throughout the affordability period.
- Unlike the affordability criteria, the energy efficiency criteria and/or the accessibility criteria does not need to be demonstrated on an annual basis.
- Where improvements are completed with the borrower’s own resources or non-insured financing, documentation confirming achievement of the criteria is required within 24 months of the last advance.
Additional information
- CMHC may at its discretion request any additional information it deems necessary to properly assess an application.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the Multi-unit mortgage Loan Insurance (MLI) Select Program
What is the Multi-unit mortgage Loan Insurance (MLI) Select?
CMHC MLI Select provides mortgage loan insurance for multi-unit residential projects, offering up to 95% loan-to-cost or loan-to-value on eligible new and existing properties. It supports affordable, energy-efficient and accessible housing through reduced premiums, longer amortization periods, lower debt coverage ratios and flexibility for new and existing properties.
Who is eligible for the Multi-unit mortgage Loan Insurance (MLI) Select program?
To be eligible for the Multi-unit mortgage Loan Insurance (MLI) Select program, you must:
Borrower must demonstrate at least five years of experience managing similar multi-unit residential properties or have a contract with a professional third‑party property manager.
Borrower must have minimum net worth equal to at least 25% of the requested loan amount, with a minimum of $100,000.
Project must be a multi-unit housing property (minimum 5 units, or 50 units/beds for retirement homes) meeting CMHC’s MLI Select social outcome criteria (affordability, energy efficiency and/or accessibility).
What expenses are eligible under Multi-unit mortgage Loan Insurance (MLI) Select?
New and existing projects.
Standard rental buildings, single room occupancies (SRO), supportive housing and retirement homes.
Student housing projects only qualify under energy efficiency and accessibility.
Who can I contact for more information about the Multi-unit mortgage Loan Insurance (MLI) Select?
You can contact Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) by email at fimulti@cmhc.ca or by phone at 1-877-685-8446.
Where is the Multi-unit mortgage Loan Insurance (MLI) Select available?
The Multi-unit mortgage Loan Insurance (MLI) Select program is available across Canada.
Is the Multi-unit mortgage Loan Insurance (MLI) Select a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Multi-unit mortgage Loan Insurance (MLI) Select is a Loans and Capital investments
Who are the financial supporters of the Multi-unit mortgage Loan Insurance (MLI) Select?
Multi-unit mortgage Loan Insurance (MLI) Select is funded by Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC)