CMHC's Frequent Builder framework is designed to accelerate the construction of affordable rental homes by expediting the application process for established housing providers working with CMHC that have a proven track record in delivering projects, making the process easier and faster.

Frequent Builder benefits

As an approved Frequent Builder, you could gain advantages that streamline interactions and processes for selected CMHC projects, like these operational benefits:

• priority assignment of CMHC resources and expedited loan approvals
• underwriting and advancing flexibilities
• conditional funding approval provided for future funding years

Eligibility requirements

To be eligible, CMHC will assess you on your:

• financial strength: demonstrated through satisfactory credit assessment by CMHC
• operational capacity: with no default within last 10 years
• proven track record in delivering projects

For-profit organizations

For-Profit entities must have conducted a minimum of $50 million* of business with CMHC** and fulfill 3 of the following criteria based on the latest CMHC credit assessment:

• own more than $1 billion of multi-residential assets
• have a minimum net worth value of $250 million
• have a 1.30 debt coverage ratio within their multi-residential portfolio
• have more than $500 million of effective outstanding exposure (insurance and lending) with CMHC

*If the for-profit entity has not met the criterion of having at least $500 million, but has met the other 3 criteria, they must also have a minimum of $50 million of business with CMHC.

Governmental organizations

Provinces, territories, municipalities, Indigenous governing bodies and other levels of government require a minimum level of business of $20 million with CMHC.**

Non-profit organizations, registered charities and co-operative housing organizations

For non-profit organizations, registered charities and co-operative housing corporations, CMHC will also consider clients who meet one of these requirements: have a minimum of $50 million of business with CMHC or have a minimum of $20 million of business with CMHC** and manage a large portfolio of rental housing units.

Frequent Builder status

To achieve Frequent Builder status, you are required to undergo a credit assessment and provide CMHC with annual audited financial statements. Government entities are exempt from the credit assessment.

For more information about the Frequent Builder framework, contact our Contact Centre or reach out to your CMHC specialist.

**Loans must be linked to one of the following programs:

• a National Housing Strategy program
• the Canada Greener Affordable Housing Program
• the Non-Profit On-Reserve Housing Program (section 95)
• mortgage loan insurance for multi-unit buildings
• bilateral agreements signed as part of the National Housing Strategy

Please connect with CMHC if you believe your project aligns with one of the following funding set-asides:

Funding for apartments above shops

Budget 2024 committed to provide at least $100 million in low-cost loans from the Apartment Construction Loan Program to build above existing shops and businesses across the country.

Funding for prefabricated or innovative housing

Budget 2024 will also propose earmarking at least $500 million in low-cost financing through the program to build new apartments that use prefabricated or innovative homebuilding techniques.

On January 23, 2025, B.C. and CMHC signed onto the ACLP-BC Builds Collaboration Agreement.