National Housing Co-Investment Fund – Renovation Stream: How to Apply

Many affordable housing providers in Canada face aging buildings, high repair costs, and the need to improve energy efficiency. The National Housing Co-Investment Fund – Renovation Stream helps address these challenges with support from the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC). This program offers both low‑interest loans and non‑repayable contributions to help keep affordable and community housing safe, efficient, and available.

Program Overview

The Renovation Stream is part of the federal National Housing Co-Investment Fund. CMHC delivers this program to preserve and improve affordable and community housing through repairs, upgrades, and retrofits.

This program is not for small home repairs. It focuses on multi‑unit housing projects and aims for long‑term affordability.

Eligibility and Requirements

Who Can Apply?

CMHC lists these eligible applicants:

Community housing providers
- Non‑profit housing organizations
- Public housing providers
- Rental housing co‑operatives
Municipal governments
Provincial and territorial governments
Indigenous governments and organizations
Private sector organizations (if affordability requirements are met)

Partnerships between organizations are encouraged and often strengthen an application.

What Renovations Qualify?

Eligible renovation work includes:

Major building repairs (like roofing or structural work)
Health and safety upgrades (such as fire safety and accessibility improvements)
Energy efficiency retrofits (for example, insulation, windows, or heating systems)
Climate resilience upgrades
Repairs that help extend the life of affordable housing units

Renovations must support long‑term affordability and match CMHC’s social and environmental goals.

Funding Details

The program provides a mix of low‑interest loans and non‑repayable contributions. The type and amount of funding depend on how affordable the project is and the results it achieves.

Key points:

Funding amounts change from project to project
Loans have below‑market interest rates
Contributions do not need to be repaid
The Renovation Stream has billions in loan funding available nationally, but each project is assessed on its own

There is no fixed maximum amount per project. The final funding depends on the number of units, the renovation scope, and your affordability commitments.

Application Process

Applying for this program takes time and careful preparation. Having all your documents ready before you start can help avoid delays.

Step 1: Check Project Eligibility

Your project must:

Be for existing affordable or community housing
Promise to keep units affordable for the required time
Meet CMHC’s environmental and social outcome standards
Have site control and a realistic construction schedule

You can use tools like GrantHub’s eligibility matcher to quickly check if your project fits housing program rules in your province.

Step 2: Gather Project Information

CMHC will ask for:

A detailed project description and renovation plan
A capital budget and list of funding sources
Operating budgets for before and after the renovation
Affordability commitments and how tenants will be affected
Plans for energy efficiency or sustainability

Missing or incomplete financial documents are a common reason for application delays.

Step 3: Submit Your Application

Apply directly through CMHC’s funding portal. The Renovation Stream accepts applications on an ongoing basis, but funding is competitive and limited.

CMHC may ask for more information or changes during their review.

Step 4: Due Diligence and Approval

If your project moves forward, CMHC will check:

The financial health of the project
Affordability terms
Environmental and energy performance

If approved, you will sign funding agreements and move to construction.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Thinking it is only a grant
Most projects receive a loan and may also get a contribution. Plan for loan repayment from the beginning.
Weak affordability promises
Projects that do not protect long‑term affordability are less likely to be chosen.
Unclear budgets or timelines
CMHC expects detailed and realistic costs and schedules, supported by professional estimates.
Not involving partners when needed
Many successful applications include partnerships with municipalities or other housing organizations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is the National Housing Co-Investment Fund – Renovation Stream a grant or a loan?
It can be both. Projects may get low‑interest loans and, in some cases, non‑repayable contributions, depending on affordability and results.

Q: Are applications first come, first served?
No. Applications are reviewed as they come in, but funding is limited and competitive.

Q: Can private developers apply?
Yes. Private sector applicants can apply if the project meets CMHC’s affordability and program rules.

Q: Do CMHC renovation contributions need to be repaid?
No. Contributions do not need to be repaid, but loans must be paid back as agreed.

Q: What types of housing qualify?
The program is for existing affordable and community housing, including non‑profit, co‑op, and mixed‑income projects with affordability commitments.

Next Steps

The National Housing Co-Investment Fund – Renovation Stream can help preserve affordable housing, but it requires planning and strong paperwork. GrantHub tracks hundreds of active grant and loan programs across Canada, making it simpler to find housing and renovation funding that matches your organization and project.

National Housing Co-Investment Fund – Renovation Stream: How to Apply