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Regional Homebuilding Innovation Initiative (RHII) for Northern Ontario
Last Update: March 4, 2026
Ontario, Canada
Supporting innovative homebuilding solutions for Northern Ontario
Grant and Funding
Overview
The Regional Homebuilding Innovation Initiative for Northern Ontario offers a maximum funding amount of $500,000 to advance innovative housing solutions and boost manufacturing efficiency, including modular and mass timber construction, 3D printing, and net-zero housing practices. Eligible activities involve investing in technology, scaling manufacturing, and developing industry tools for construction innovation.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Develop a new product
- Reduce the ecological footprint
- Selling in a new market
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 500,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
Timeline
- Open continuously
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Ontario
Legal structures
- Non-profit
- Public or Parapublic institution
- For-profit business
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Indigenous Peoples
- Rural or Northern Residents
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
- Economic, Social and Community Development
- Housing
- Business Associations
Target groups
- Indigenous peoples
- Rural / Remote communities
- Business owners / entrepreneurs
- Low-income individuals / families
Revenue structures
- All structures
Scope
- Municipal
- Regional
Activities funded
- Investing in manufacturing and construction technology to increase productivity and output in the housing sector, such as modular and mass timber construction.
- Assisting firms in adapting, adopting and scaling innovative construction methods such as prefabrication/modular construction, net-zero housing, 3D printing, and net-zero and climate-resilient housing practices.
- Investing in innovation, demonstration, and commercialization that accelerates the construction of homes.
- Scaling existing manufacturers that produce panelized construction and inputs such as prefabricated drywall, trusses, cement, windows, and doors, etc.
- Developing industry tools that accelerate construction innovation through the improvement and adoption of off-site construction technologies and practices.
Examples of admissible projects:
$ 500,000
Developing modular housing technology for rapid construction
$ 500,000
Adopting net-zero technology in residential construction
$ 500,000
Scaling mass timber housing production for sustainable buildings
Eligibility
- The applicant must be an incorporated small or medium-sized enterprise (SME), an incorporated not-for-profit organization, an Indigenous (First Nation/Métis/Inuit) business or organization, or a municipality/municipal organization.
- The applicant must be a legal entity capable of entering into legally binding agreements.
- The project benefits must accrue to Northern Ontario.
Who is eligible?
- Incorporated small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
- Incorporated not-for-profit organizations.
- Indigenous (First Nation/Métis/Inuit) businesses and organizations.
- Municipalities and municipal organizations.
Eligible expenses
- Project-specific cost of labour (e.g., wages and benefits) and of material used.
- Capital costs: purchase of machinery, equipment and infrastructure.
- Operating costs that are incremental, measurable and directly related to the project.
- Professional, advisory and technical services fees.
- Costs related to intellectual property.
- Preproduction costs (e.g., technological development and commercial demonstrations).
- Commercialization costs.
- Costs related to expanding or maintaining markets.
- Subcontracting costs.
Eligible geographic areas
- Northern Ontario
How to apply
1
Discuss Your Proposal
Contact a FedNor Officer by calling 1-877-333-6673 to start discussing your project proposal.
2
Begin Application Process
Start your application process after discussing your proposal with a FedNor Officer.
Additional information
- The applicant must have secured funding of at least 50% towards the balance of the project's eligible costs for commercial projects.
- Financial assistance from government programs may have tax implications for a business, and it is advised to consult a qualified tax professional.
- Terms of repayment will be determined during the development of the contribution agreement and normally begin no later than one year following the completion of the project.
- Completing an application does not guarantee funding approval; all applications will undergo assessment based on business case, financial projections, and past results, among other factors.
- Approval may depend upon funding availability.
Contacts
1-877-333-6673
