1. Minimum Units

   Proponents must seek to create an affordable housing development that includes a minimum of 60 units at the site.

2. Affordability

   Rents for at least 30% of the units must be less than 80% of the median market rent, for a minimum of 99 years.

   Median Market Rent (MMR) means the median market rent for the regional market and unit type of the project as described in CMHC’s rental market survey or any successor publication published from time to time.

   In planning the affordability component of their project, proponents must ensure rents for affordable units are less than 80% or less of the median market rents as outlined below:

   • Bachelor: $880
   • 1 Bedroom: $1,063
   • 2 Bedroom: $1,275
   • 3 Bedroom: $1,545

3. Accessibility

   Proponents must demonstrate that their projects are designed to meet or exceed one of the following options:

   Option 1: At least 20% of units must meet accessibility standards outlined in CSA B651:23/652:23 OR achieve Rick Hansen Foundation GOLD Accessibility Certification (for projects seeking Rick Hansen Foundation certification, a rating score of 5 points for feature 9.11.1 is required) AND all common areas must be barrier-free.

   OR

   Option 2: the entire project — including common areas and dwelling units — must follow full universal design standards.

4. Energy efficiency

   New projects are required to achieve either Tier 2 of the 2020 National Energy Code for Buildings (NECB) or Tier 3 of the 2020 National Building Code (NBC).

5. Experience

   Proponents must have a minimum of 5 years of experience in construction and property management of projects of similar size and scope as that being proposed.

6. Financial viability

   You must demonstrate that your residential project will meet a minimum debt coverage ratio of 1.10.

   BCH and CMHC are working toward a more streamlined, coordinated approach to engaging with successful proponents on financing, with additional details to come. In the interim, we will collaborate closely with proponents to help facilitate access to financial support, subject to standard review and approval processes.

   Proponents are encouraged to review and familiarize themselves with qualifying criteria for the housing construction financing and funding they may require to deliver their projects, including (but not limited to) CMHC Project funding and mortgage financing and Build Canada Homes Investment Policy Framework.

   Note: Additional points are awarded for proponents who demonstrate that they have additional capacity to successfully deliver projects that dedicate at least 20% of building construction costs to Modern Methods of Construction and align with the federal government’s mandate to increase the amount of affordable housing in Canada.

   Interested applicants must demonstrate in their response to this competition how they will meet or exceed minimum requirements.

The Federal Lands Initiative is launching a competitive process to identify a proponent to lease the subject property and redevelop it into an affordable housing project comprising at least 60 residential units that will meet or exceeding specified minimum criteria. The property will be offered for lease at a discounted rate.

Proponents must clearly outline the outcomes they commit to achieving and provide detailed supporting documentation. To be considered, the Federal Lands Initiative requires a fully completed application along with all mandatory documentation.

Eligible proponents include, but are not limited to:

• Community housing organizations
• Non-profit organizations or registered charities
• Co-operative housing organizations
• Municipal, provincial, and territorial governments and their agencies
• Indigenous governments and organizations, including tribal councils
• For-profit organizations