How much funding can be received?

Funds up to 50% of admissible expenses, capped at $500000 per project.

What is the deadline to apply?

The deadline to apply is not specified.

Who are the financial supporters of the Regional Homebuilding Innovation Initiative (RHII) for Northern Ontario?

Regional Homebuilding Innovation Initiative (RHII) for Northern Ontario is funded by Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario (FedNor)

Regional Homebuilding Innovation Initiative (RHII) for Northern Ontario

Last Update: March 2, 2025

ON, Canada

Supporting innovative homebuilding solutions for Northern Ontario

Regional Homebuilding Innovation Initiative (RHII) for Northern Ontario at a glance

Eligible Funding

Max. $500,000
Up to 50% of project cost

Timeline

Continuous Intakes

Financing Type

Grant and Funding

Eligible Industries

All industries

Grant Providers

Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario (FedNor)

Status

Open

Overview of the Regional Homebuilding Innovation Initiative (RHII) for Northern Ontario program

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.

Financing terms and conditions

Commercial projects are eligible for repayable assistance up to a maximum of $500,000 per project.
Funding is based on the minimum amount required for the project to proceed.
Applicants can receive up to 50% of eligible and supported project costs.
Total government funding including federal, provincial, and municipal cannot exceed 75% of supported eligible non-capital costs and 50% of supported eligible capital costs.
Applicants must secure at least 50% of the balance of the project's eligible costs from other sources.
Terms of repayment for commercial projects are set during the contribution agreement development and usually begin no later than one year after project completion.
For non-commercial projects, funding covers up to 75% of eligible and supported costs.
In projects that involve redistribution of funding to ultimate recipients, the maximum disbursement per ultimate recipient is $25,000, and they must provide a minimum of 50% cash contribution.
Non-commercial projects can receive total government funding (including federal, provincial, and municipal) up to 100% of supported costs.

Eligible projects & activities

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

Scaling mass timber housing production for sustainable buildings

$ 500,000

Adopting net-zero technology in residential construction

$ 500,000

Developing modular housing technology for rapid construction

Eligibility criteria of the Regional Homebuilding Innovation Initiative (RHII) for Northern Ontario program

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 to the Regional Homebuilding Innovation Initiative (RHII) for Northern Ontario program

Discuss Your Proposal

Contact a FedNor Officer by calling 1-877-333-6673 to start discussing your project proposal.

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.