Community Housing Expansion Pilot

The term "community housing" is an umbrella term that refers to housing that is owned and operated by non-profit organizations and housing co-operatives.

The Community Housing Expansion Pilot will provide funding to the non-profit and co-operative housing sector towards capacity building, operation development, and the creation of affordable housing units in the rental market. The pilot aims to support 120 units for acquisition in 2024-25, while building a pipeline for new construction and acquisition projects in future years. 

Am I eligible?

Eligible partners will be selected through a fair and competitive Expression of Interest (EOI) and must:

• Be a registered non-profit or co-operative housing organization
• Have a successful track record of developing, owning and operating housing or a clear and compelling plan to build capacity
• Commit to 30% of units being deeply affordable (available at a rate of 25% of household income) and accessible to qualified clients on the social housing registry
• Partner with other groups such as students groups, regional development corporations, community organizations, municipalities, Indigenous communities, etc. to ensure housing benefits diverse stakeholders.

What type of activities are eligible?

Non-profit organizations and housing co-operatives selected through the fair and competitive Expression of Interest (EOI) will be provided Capacity Funding to enhance operational and board capacity for community housing partners with a focus on project development and management. 

Once agreements are in place with successful EOI partners, the partner will have access to Pre-construction Funding to cover up to 100% of the costs of feasibility studies, business plans, engineering plans, and architectural drawings, and surveyor reports as well as Capital Grant Funding to build and/or acquire affordable housing units. 

What type of housing acquisitions will be considered?

If a successful EOI partner wishes to purchase existing housing stock, acquisitions will be selected based on the following criteria:

• Minimum of 5 units in urban areas and 4 units in rural areas
• Not currently owned in full or in part by any level of government
• Not currently under operating agreement with Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC)
• Current tenants cannot be displaced
• Primarily residential with no permitted commercial use over 25% of the building's floor space

How do I apply?

Expression of Interest closed on June 17, 2024.