Shelter Enhancement Program – Renovation

• Financial support provided as a forgivable loan of up to $60,000 per unit or bed-unit being renovated.
• For shelters or second-stage homes located in northern or remote on-reserve areas, the maximum funding may be increased by 25%.
• Any costs exceeding the maximum forgivable loan amount are the responsibility of the First Nation or sponsor.

• The applicant must be a First Nation or an affiliated housing organization operating on-reserve housing for victims of family violence.
• The housing must serve women, children, youth, or men who are fleeing domestic or family violence.
• The project must involve the repair, rehabilitation, or improvement of existing emergency shelters or second-stage housing on-reserve for individuals escaping domestic violence.
• Eligible work must include repairs to ensure health and safety, modifications for accessibility, or improvements for security and appropriate play areas for children.
• Work must not commence before the application is officially approved in writing.

Who is eligible?

• First Nations
• First Nation-affiliated housing organizations operating on-reserve shelters or second-stage housing for victims of family violence

Who is not eligible

• Companies or organizations that do not operate on-reserve housing for people fleeing domestic violence.
• Businesses not affiliated with a First Nation or not operating under a First Nation's housing organization.
• Entities seeking funding for non-repair purposes or for properties that are not existing shelters or second-stage housing.

Eligible expenses

• Repairs required to meet minimum health and safety standards for shelters or second-stage housing.
• Modifications to make the property accessible for persons with disabilities.
• Improvements to ensure safe play areas for children.
• Upgrades to provide an appropriate level of security for all occupants.

Eligible geographic areas

• On-reserve locations within First Nations communities across Canada.

• Work undertaken prior to formal written approval of your application is not eligible for funding.
• An earning period for the forgivable loan is determined based on the amount provided per unit or bed.
• The program may increase the maximum funding by 25% for shelters located in northern or remote on-reserve areas.
• CMHC offers additional programs for on-reserve housing needs beyond this grant.